• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kawaling Pinoy

Serving Delicious Asian Recipes One Pot at a Time

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Tips
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

Home » Recipe Index » Meat and Poultry » Chicken Sopas

Chicken Sopas

Published: Dec 15, 2018 · Modified: Feb 18, 2019 by Lalaine Manalo · This post may contain affiliate links

3.6Kshares
  • Share
  • Email
Recipe Video Print

Chicken Sopas is the ultimate comfort food! With chicken, macaroni, vegetables, hot dogs, and flavorful broth, this Filipino-style soup is creamy, delicious, and the best way to warm up on cold winter days.

Chicken Sopas in an orange pot
Chicken Sopas

This chicken sopas was originally not on my countdown list, but I came across a post in a recipe group on Facebook from a Filipina asking what will go well with sopas for Christmas. I can't believe I didn't think of this Filipino soup when I was planning my holiday posts!

I mean, seriously, what can be more comforting and satisfying than a piping hot bowl of chicken soup on a chilly Christmas day? Well, maybe a piping hot bowl of sopas AND cheese puto.

chicken macaroni soup served in two soup mugs

What is Sopas?

Sopas, which literally means soup, is an integral component in the Filipino cuisine. But although there are many dishes we can classify as sopas such as pancit lomi and chicken sotanghon, it is most commonly associated with a soup made of elbow macaroni, vegetables, and milk-infused broth.

While flaked chicken is the most popular protein ingredient, other meats such as ground beef, diced pork or even corned beef are also used to make this soup.

serving Filipino sopas from a soup pot

Tips on How to Make Filipino Chicken Sopas

  • For my version of this chicken macaroni soup, I usually start with sauteing mirepoix as the base. This combination of onions, celery, and carrots not only serves as the added vegetables in the soup but brings tons of flavor as well.
  • As in any good soup, the heart of this recipe is the broth. Boneless chicken might be more convenient, but for a full-bodied taste, I recommend using bone-in. I like to gently simmer the chicken in aromatics until cooked through and flake the meat. I then return the bones to the pot and simmer for at least 30 minutes to an hour to draw out their flavor. This step takes a bit more time but I promise your extra effort will be rewarded with a more robust flavor.
  • The recipe calls for carrots, celery, and napa cabbage as the vegetable add-ins but you can add or swap diced potatoes, green peas, and kinchay (Chinese celery) if you like.
  • Hot dogs are a classic addition to sopas, but you can also use cubed ham, Vienna sausages, or liver.
  • The macaroni is cooked directly in the soup and the extra starch will thicken the broth nicely. If you prefer a thinner consistency or the soup begins to thicken over time, just dilute with additional water as needed.

Chicken Sopas garnished with boiled eggs, green onions, and fried shallots in soup mugs

What to Serve with Chicken Macaroni Sopas

Since the question "what to serve with this soup" is what had me updating and reposting this recipe, let me share with you how I set it up for a large crowd.

When the soup is ready, I transfer it to a crockpot or a chafing dish to keep hot throughout the party. As I love to round off the soup with extra trimmings, I place individual mugs to serve it in and small containers of chopped green onions, hard-boiled eggs, and fried shallots or fried garlic bits by the crockpot so guests can garnish their bowls to their liking.

The sopas is filling on its own but for a heartier meal, I usually complete it with sides of puto, warm pandesal, saltine crackers, and tasty bread.

As pasta tends to absorb a lot of liquid, drying out the soup over time, I keep a pot of the creamy broth simmering on the stove to quickly replenish the soup as needed. I also like to undercook the noodles a little so they don't turn too mushy.

If you're serving the chicken soup at a later time, you can cook the macaroni separately and just add to the sopas when ready to serve.

Chicken Sopas garnished iwth boiled eggs, green onions, and fried shallots in soup mugs
Print Recipe Leave a Comment
4.63 from 27 votes

Chicken Sopas

Chicken Sopas is the ultimate comfort food! With chicken, macaroni, vegetables, hot dogs, and flavorful broth, this Filipino-style soup is creamy, delicious, and the best way to warm up on cold winter days.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Filipino
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 487kcal
Author: Lalaine Manalo

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds bone-in chicken parts
  • 1 onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 4 hot dogs, sliced diagonally into ½-inch thick
  • 1 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, cubed
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cubed
  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni pasta
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ small napa cabbage, chopped
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
  • green onions, chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large pot, combine chicken, quartered onions, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 10 cups water.
  •  Over medium heat, bring to a boil, skimming scum that may float on top. Once the broth clears, lower heat and cover. Continue to cook for about 20 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and fork-tender. With a slotted spoon, remove chicken from the broth.
  • Allow chicken to cool to touch, pull meat from the bones, shred and set aside. 
  • Return the bones to the pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Using a fine-mesh sieve, strain Using a fine mesh sieve, strain broth to remove sediments and reserve about 8 cups.
  • In another pot over medium heat, heat oil.  Add hot dogs and cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly browned. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
  • Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots to the pan. Cook, stirring regularly, for about 3 to 5 minutes or until softened
  • Add macaroni and cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add the reserved broth and bring to a boil.  
  • Lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 8 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.
  • Add evaporated milk, shredded chicken, and hot dogs. Continue to cook simmer until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add napa cabbage and cook for about 1 minute or until tender-crisp.
  • To serve, ladle soup in individual bowls and garnish with eggs and green onions, if desired. Serve hot.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 247mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 533mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2925IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 1.8mg
Tried this recipe? I'd love to see what you made!mention @Kawalingpinoy and hashtag your photo with #kawalingpinoy

 

More Good Food

Sinigang na Baka
Lumpiang Puso ng Saging
Thai Mango Salad
<< Pork Menudo
Kapit >>
Lalaine from Kawaling Pinoy

Hello! My name is Lalaine and welcome to Kawaling Pinoy where you’ll find Filipino and Asian-inspired recipes, cooking tips, and how-to videos. Read more...

Subscribe

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Subscribe

Get updates via email and a FREE eCookbook!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. katie sghendo says

    August 27, 2019 at 5:53 am

    yummy must try this on sunday my family come over for dinner tks for sharing

    Reply
    • Lalaine Manalo says

      September 09, 2019 at 3:04 am

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Enzo says

    March 24, 2019 at 3:00 am

    5 stars
    Hi po..if someone is lactose intolerant, what can we add as substitute to the evaporated milk. Will soya milk be ok? Thanks for the reply!

    Reply
    • Lalaine Manalo says

      September 09, 2019 at 3:05 am

      Yes, you can swap soya milk 🙂

      Reply
  3. Nicole Umali says

    January 29, 2019 at 9:57 am

    5 stars
    Is it possible to actually cook it in the crockpot Ate?

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      February 02, 2019 at 5:05 am

      I am sure you can do it in the slow cooker. I haven't personally done it, though, so I am not sure how long it would take 🙁

      Reply
  4. Jay says

    December 29, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Lallaine, I wonder, how can we avoid macaroni or noodles sucking up all the soup when its already time to serve the pasta are now sloppy and the soup is gone?

    Reply
    • Lalaine Manalo says

      September 09, 2019 at 3:05 am

      Try to brown the pasta more in the oil. This will keep it from absorbing a lot of liquid.

      Reply
  5. Sacha says

    September 25, 2018 at 8:20 am

    Trying this recipe today, from a rainy, cold day in NYC, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

    For what it's worth - I hope you keep sharing your stories and how you came to use the recipe you post; if there are people out there who just want the recipe and don't need the story, they can spend the two seconds it takes to scroll down and go directly to the ingredients list and directions.

    I'll share pictures and results later today!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      December 15, 2018 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  6. Mark says

    September 23, 2017 at 1:45 am

    it should have been better if filipino recipes like this were using grams instead of ounces...

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      September 24, 2017 at 8:40 pm

      Hello, Mark,

      I apologize for the inconvenience. I understand the metric system is used in the Philippines but I live in the U.S. and I am more used to cups and ounces in my cooking. I wanted to use the system I am most comfortable with. There are a lot of sites, however, you can use to easily convert from Imperial to Metric, if needed. 🙂

      Reply
  7. JRTG says

    December 31, 2015 at 3:45 am

    OK. So It's been one full year and i am back on this recipe because i am cooking this tonight on New Year's. We will be having this soup while listening to Mairi Campbell and dave Francis' Auld Lang Syne. <3

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      January 05, 2016 at 11:58 pm

      What a beautiful (and delicious!) way to spend an evening 🙂

      Reply
  8. JEN says

    July 27, 2015 at 4:14 am

    Hello, is the bay leaves fresh or dried? I'm planning to cook this soon & I was just wondering. Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  9. Josie says

    April 15, 2015 at 4:28 am

    I like all your recipes, but I hate reading your intros. the cursive font makes them hard to read. So I don't bother and go straight to your recipes.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      April 15, 2015 at 7:55 am

      Hi Josie

      I am working on changing the font so please bear with me.

      Reply
  10. joyce says

    March 27, 2015 at 7:10 am

    Here in the province, chicken sopas is also served on lenten season during 'pabasa'. And tomorrow, we are going to cook this for breakfast for the death anniversary of my uncle. I will be in-charge of this, as requested, that is why I am keeping my fingers crossed. Whew! I need to ready my printout then. (~wink~) Btw, 10 cups (water?) Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      March 27, 2015 at 11:26 pm

      Hi Joyce

      Yes, 10 cups of water. I corrected the recipe, thanks 🙂

      Reply
      • Belle says

        June 06, 2015 at 8:15 am

        No you didn't corrected it yet.

        Reply
  11. JRTG says

    January 25, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    5 stars
    I need to have some of this before winter completely goes away, if only I can fix my schedule to do so. I need to cook it before January 2015 is over. It's no fun serving this on a hot season.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      January 25, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      Hi JRTG

      Yes, this sopas is best served on cold, winter days. Hope you find the time to make it 🙂

      Reply
  12. Food Planet PH says

    June 25, 2014 at 9:47 am

    This is insanely yummy to look at! Really perfect for rainy days <3 Awesome post by the way 😉

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      June 25, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hello from Lalaine!

Welcome to Kawaling Pinoy where you'll find hundreds of delicious Filipino and Asian recipes. Make sure to browse around and pick a favorite dish or two. Happy cooking! Read More…

Never Miss a Recipe!

Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Never Miss a Recipe!

Get updates via email and a FREE eCookbook

Trending Recipes

  • Tiniim na Manok on a serving platter with pineapple tidbits garnish Tiniim na Manok
  • beef asado and sinangag on a white plate with a bowl of broth on the side Beef Pares
  • top view of Filipino pork bbq kebabs on a white plate Filipino Pork Barbecue
  • sliced pork asado with tomato sauce and fried potato slices on a serving platter Pork Asado

Party Favorites

Tamarind Chicken Wings in a brown-paper lined basket

Tamarind Chicken Wings

cheesy baked sushi in clear casserole dish with sliced mangoes, cucumbers, and egg omelet on the side

Sushi Bake

cheese and hot dog bread rolls on a white plate with ketchup on the side

Cheese Dog Bread Rolls

Ukoy papaya

Ukoy

sizzling gambas on a cast iron skillet

Sizzling Gambas

cheesy spring rolls on parchment paper

Cheese Sticks

Footer

Logos of featured in places

↑ BACK TO TOP | HOME | CONTACT | PRIVACY POLICY | Copyright © 2021 Kawaling Pinoy, LLC

MENU
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact