Description
A classic Filipino chicken soup simmered with ginger, fish sauce, and peppercorns, then finished with tender chayote and leafy greens for a nourishing and comforting dish.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Filipino or Thai chiles (optional, whole or sliced)
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 3 tbsp fish sauce (patis preferred)
- 1 chayote, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- Crispy chicken skin (optional, for topping)
- 2 cups moringa leaves, pepper leaves, or baby bok choy
- Steamed jasmine rice, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown chicken pieces on both sides until golden, then set aside.
- Sauté onion, ginger, garlic, and whole chiles until fragrant. Return chicken to the pot.
- Pour in chicken stock, add peppercorns, fish sauce, and 1 cup water. Simmer gently for about 20 minutes.
- Skim off excess fat, then add chayote. Cook until tender but not mushy, about 10 minutes.
- If desired, fry chicken skin separately until crispy while the soup cooks.
- Just before serving, stir in moringa leaves or bok choy. Let wilt for 1–2 minutes.
- Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice, sliced chiles, extra fish sauce, and crispy chicken skin on the side.
Notes
- Swap chayote with green papaya or zucchini if unavailable.
- Bok choy or spinach can replace moringa or pepper leaves.
- Add extra chiles to the broth for more spice.
- Bone-in chicken gives richer broth, but boneless works for a lighter version.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day after flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (with rice on the side)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
