Are you ready to dive into a culinary journey that transforms an old hen into a soul-stirring, flavor-packed Mexican comfort soup? Caldo de Gallina Vieja isn't just a recipe—it's a heartwarming tradition that speaks volumes about Mexican home cooking, where every simmering pot tells a story of love, patience, and generational wisdom. This rich, nourishing broth promises to transport you straight to a cozy Mexican kitchen, where slow cooking isn't just a method, but an art form that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 whole old hen (gallina vieja)
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bunch cilantro
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
Instructions
- Thoroughly clean the old hen, removing any excess fat or feathers. Rinse under cold water to ensure complete cleanliness.
- Place the whole hen in a large stockpot and cover completely with cold water. The water should be about 2-3 inches above the chicken.
- Add quartered onion, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt to the pot. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and skim off any foam that forms on the surface of the broth. This helps create a clear, clean-tasting stock.
- Partially cover the pot and simmer slowly for approximately
- 5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken meat becomes extremely tender and begins to fall off the bone.
- About 30 minutes before the chicken is fully cooked, add the chopped carrots and diced potatoes to the pot.
- Gently tear fresh cilantro leaves and add them to the broth during the last 10 minutes of cooking for maximum flavor.
- Carefully remove the hen from the pot and place on a cutting board. Separate the meat from the bones, shredding it into large pieces.
- Return the shredded chicken meat to the pot and adjust seasoning with additional salt to taste.
- Serve hot in deep bowls, ensuring each serving has a generous amount of broth, vegetables, and chicken.
- Optionally, garnish with additional fresh cilantro leaves and serve with warm corn tortillas on the side.
Tips
- Choose Quality Matters: Select a mature hen for the most authentic and richly flavored broth. The older the hen, the more depth of flavor you'll achieve.
- Skimming is Winning: Consistently skim the foam from the top of the broth during initial boiling to ensure a clear, clean-tasting stock.
- Low and Slow is the Way to Go: Maintain a gentle simmer, not a rapid boil. This ensures tender meat and allows flavors to develop gradually.
- Fresh Herbs are Key: Add cilantro towards the end of cooking to preserve its vibrant flavor and aroma.
- Patience Pays Off: Don't rush the cooking process. The longer the hen simmers, the more tender the meat and more flavorful the broth becomes.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany your caldo with warm corn tortillas and consider offering lime wedges and extra cilantro for personalized garnishing.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
