Chicken Sopas Recipe

If you’ve been searching for the most soul-warming bowl of chicken sopas recipe, you’re in the right place. This beloved Filipino macaroni soup is the definition of comfort in a bowl — tender shredded chicken, elbow macaroni, colorful vegetables, and sliced hot dogs all swimming in a rich, creamy broth made irresistible by the addition of evaporated milk.

Sopas, which literally translates to “soup” in Filipino, has been a staple of Filipino home cooking for generations. It draws from the Spanish word sopa, but it’s been adapted so beautifully to the Filipino palate that it’s become something entirely its own.

This dish is what Filipino moms and lolas make when someone’s feeling under the weather or when the rain starts to pour. It’s the kind of recipe that carries memories — of after-school snacks, of cold afternoons, of family gathered around a pot that smelled like everything good in the world.

And the best part? It’s surprisingly simple to make from scratch. With a handful of everyday ingredients and a big pot, you’ll have a steaming, creamy bowl of sopas ready in about an hour.

For another cozy Filipino-style chicken dish, you’ll also love this Chicken Tinola — another classic that hits every time the weather turns cold.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Sopas Recipe

This isn’t just any chicken noodle soup — it’s something special.

The creamy broth sets it apart from every other chicken soup you’ve tried. Evaporated milk is stirred in at the end, giving the soup a rich, velvety body that feels indulgent but isn’t heavy.

It’s also incredibly versatile. You can customize the vegetables, swap hot dogs for ham, or make it even heartier by adding more pasta.

The recipe uses budget-friendly, easy-to-find ingredients. Nothing exotic or hard to track down — just straightforward pantry staples with a Filipino twist.

It’s kid-approved and family-friendly. The mild, creamy broth and fun pasta shapes make it a hit even with the pickiest eaters at the table.

It also reheats beautifully. Make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it for the rest of the week.

• Rich and creamy broth made with evaporated milk
• Tender shredded chicken with savory hot dog slices
• Loaded with vegetables like carrots, celery, and cabbage
• Ready in under an hour from start to finish
• Perfect for sick days, rainy afternoons, or just because

Read Also: Chicken Rice Soup Recipe

Ingredients

This chicken sopas recipe uses classic Filipino ingredients that work together to create a deeply flavorful, creamy soup. Every item on this list serves a purpose — nothing is filler.

• 1.5 lbs (680g) bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work best for flavor)
• 8 cups (2 liters) water, for boiling
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 3 Filipino-style hot dogs, sliced diagonally (or any chicken or pork hot dogs)
• 1.5 cups (150g) elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 cup (90g) napa cabbage or green cabbage, roughly chopped
• 1 can (12 fl oz / 354ml) evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (patis), or to taste
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 stalks green onions (scallions), sliced, for garnish
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

This Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe is another great option if you love chicken-based soups with bold flavor.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

You don’t need any fancy equipment for this recipe — just the basics that most home cooks already have. That said, a large, heavy-bottomed pot makes a real difference in flavor development and even cooking.

• Large stockpot or Dutch oven (at least 6-quart capacity)
• Cutting board
• Sharp chef’s knife
• Two forks (for shredding chicken)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Ladle for serving
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs (for removing chicken from pot)
• Colander or strainer

Read Also: Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe

Recommended Products for This Recipe

These are products I genuinely recommend based on quality, performance, and how much they improve the final dish.

1. Filipino-Style Hot Dogs (Purefoods Tender Juicy)

Filipino-brand hot dogs have a distinct sweetness and snap that makes chicken sopas taste truly authentic. They hold up well in the soup without breaking apart, and their flavor infuses the broth beautifully. If you’ve never tried them, they’re a total revelation compared to standard American-style hot dogs.

Get it on Amazon

2. Carnation Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is the ingredient that makes chicken sopas uniquely Filipino. Carnation’s version gives the broth a rich, creamy consistency without making it feel overly heavy or dairy-forward. It blends seamlessly into hot broth and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory ingredients perfectly.

Get it on Amazon

3. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

A heavy-bottomed Dutch oven distributes heat evenly so your broth builds flavor slowly without scorching. The wide base makes sauteing vegetables easy, and the size is perfect for a full batch of sopas. It’s an investment piece that will last decades.

Get it on Amazon

4. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Strainer

A fine-mesh strainer is essential for skimming the cooking liquid after boiling the chicken. It removes any foam or bone fragments cleanly, giving you a clear, beautiful broth as the base for your sopas.

Get it on Amazon

Another great chicken recipe to bookmark: Chicken Stew Recipe

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

• Place the bone-in chicken pieces into your large stockpot.
• Pour in 8 cups (2 liters) of water, making sure the chicken is fully submerged.
• Add the bay leaves and whole black peppercorns to the pot.
• Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the meat is tender.
• As the chicken simmers, skim off any foam or gray scum that floats to the surface — this keeps your broth clean and clear.
• Once cooked, use tongs to carefully remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board to cool.
• Reserve all of the cooking liquid in the pot. This is your homemade chicken broth and it’s packed with flavor.
• Remove and discard the bay leaves and peppercorns from the broth.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken

• Allow the chicken to cool for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is comfortable to handle with your hands.
• Use your fingers or two forks to pull the meat away from the bones in long, thin shreds.
• Discard all bones, skin, and any cartilage.
• Set the shredded chicken aside in a bowl — you should have roughly 2 to 2.5 cups of shredded meat.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

• Set a large stockpot (or the same pot you used, cleaned) over medium heat.
• Add the butter and cooking oil together. Using both gives you the rich flavor of butter without it burning.
• Once the butter has melted and the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced celery, and sliced carrots.
• Sauté the vegetables for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion turns translucent and the carrots start to soften slightly.
• The celery and carrots add body and natural sweetness to the broth — don’t rush this step.

Step 4: Add the Chicken and Hot Dogs

• Add the shredded chicken to the pot with the sautéed vegetables and stir to combine.
• Add the sliced hot dogs and stir again so everything is evenly distributed.
• Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the hot dog slices are heated through and starting to pick up a little color at the edges.

Step 5: Add the Broth and Simmer

• Pour the reserved chicken cooking broth back into the pot with the chicken, vegetables, and hot dogs.
• Stir everything together and bring the soup to a full boil over medium-high heat.
• Once boiling, add the fish sauce (patis) — start with one tablespoon and adjust to taste later.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot partially, and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Cook the Elbow Macaroni

• Add the uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering soup.
• Stir immediately and continue stirring every minute or two to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Cook the macaroni for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it is just tender but still has a slight bite (al dente).
• Keep in mind that the pasta will continue to absorb liquid as the soup sits, so don’t overcook it at this stage.

Step 7: Add the Cabbage

• Add the roughly chopped cabbage to the pot and stir to submerge it into the hot broth.
• Cook for 2 to 3 minutes — just until the cabbage is wilted and tender but still has a little texture.
• Cabbage cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it and don’t let it go mushy.

Step 8: Stir in the Evaporated Milk

• Pour the entire can of evaporated milk into the pot and stir gently to fully incorporate it into the broth.
• The soup will turn a lovely pale, creamy color — this is exactly what you want.
• Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Do not let it come to a rolling boil after adding the milk, as this can cause the milk to separate.
• Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, black pepper, or fish sauce as needed.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

• Ladle the hot chicken sopas into deep serving bowls.
• Garnish each bowl with sliced green onions for a pop of freshness and color.
• Serve immediately while hot. Sopas is best enjoyed right from the pot.

You might also enjoy: Udon Noodle Soup Recipe

Tips for Success

A few small tips can take your chicken sopas from good to absolutely outstanding. These are the details that make all the difference.

• Always reserve the chicken cooking liquid. This is essentially a quick homemade stock, and using it as the soup base gives your sopas a depth of flavor that store-bought broth simply can’t replicate.
• Don’t skip the butter when sautéing the aromatics. The combination of butter and oil creates a richer, more flavorful base than oil alone.
• Add the evaporated milk only at the very end, and never let the soup boil vigorously after adding it. A gentle simmer keeps the broth silky and smooth.
• If you’re making this soup ahead of time, cook the macaroni separately and add it to individual bowls when serving. This prevents the pasta from absorbing all the broth overnight.
• Fish sauce (patis) is the traditional seasoning for sopas, and it adds a savory umami depth that salt alone cannot. Start with one tablespoon and add more to taste.
• Use bone-in chicken for the best broth. The bones release gelatin as they simmer, which gives the broth a silky, full-bodied texture.

Read Also: Corn Soup Recipe

Serving Suggestions

Chicken sopas is a complete meal on its own, but a few thoughtful accompaniments can make it even more satisfying.

Serve it with warm, soft Filipino-style pandesal rolls on the side — the fluffy bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.

It pairs wonderfully with a side of Chicken Fried Rice for a heartier spread, especially if you’re feeding a crowd.

A simple green salad or a plate of crispy spring rolls makes a great contrast to the rich, creamy soup.

• Warm dinner rolls or pandesal for dipping
• Steamed white rice (a popular way to eat sopas in the Philippines)
• Crispy lumpia or egg rolls on the side
• A simple cucumber and tomato salad for freshness
• Extra sliced green onions and a dash of ground black pepper on top

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic chicken sopas, here are some fun and delicious ways to switch it up. These variations are all common in Filipino households and are just as comforting as the original.

• Corned Beef Sopas: Swap the chicken for canned corned beef for a quick weeknight version that uses pantry staples. It’s a popular variation in the Philippines and comes together in half the time.
• Luncheon Meat Sopas: Replace or supplement the hot dogs with sliced Spam or other canned luncheon meat for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.
• Extra Vegetable Sopas: Add green peas, diced potatoes, or corn kernels alongside the other vegetables for a heartier, more nutritious bowl.
• Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Use shredded rotisserie chicken and store-bought chicken broth to cut the prep time significantly without sacrificing much flavor.
• No Milk Version: For a lighter version, simply omit the evaporated milk and let the well-seasoned broth shine on its own.

For another take on a Filipino chicken classic, check out the Chicken Adobo Recipe.

Storage and Reheating

Proper storage keeps your leftover sopas tasting great for days. Just keep one important thing in mind: the pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.

• Allow the soup to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating.
• Transfer leftover sopas to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Do not freeze chicken sopas. The pasta becomes mushy after thawing and the texture suffers significantly.
• When reheating, warm the soup gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
• As it reheats, the pasta will have absorbed much of the broth. Add a splash of chicken broth, water, or extra evaporated milk to loosen it back to the right consistency.
• Reheat until the soup is hot all the way through, then taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
• For best results, store cooked macaroni separately if you know you’ll have leftovers.

Another warming soup to keep in rotation: Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe

Nutritional Facts

The following nutritional information is an estimate per serving, based on 6 servings per recipe.

Nutritional values are approximate and will vary depending on specific brands, portion sizes, and ingredient substitutions.

For another nourishing Filipino-style bowl, try: Caldo de Pollo Recipe

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

Chicken sopas isn’t just delicious — it’s genuinely nourishing, thanks to the quality of its core ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes each one worth celebrating.

Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which supports muscle repair, immune function, and satiety. Bone-in chicken also releases collagen into the broth during simmering, which is beneficial for joint health and gut health.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A. This nutrient supports healthy vision, skin, and immune response — making carrots more than just a colorful addition to the soup.

Celery is low in calories but high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It also contributes a natural mineral content, including potassium and folate.

Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable loaded with Vitamin C and K, as well as fiber. It supports digestive health and provides a satisfying crunch even when lightly cooked.

Evaporated milk provides calcium, Vitamin D, and protein in a concentrated form, contributing to bone health and making the soup more filling and nutritionally complete.

• Chicken: lean protein, collagen, B vitamins
• Carrots: beta-carotene, Vitamin A, fiber
• Celery: antioxidants, potassium, folate
• Cabbage: Vitamin C and K, digestive fiber
• Evaporated milk: calcium, protein, Vitamin D
• Garlic and onion: anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting compounds

Another wholesome chicken recipe to try: Chicken Soup Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is chicken sopas made of?

Chicken sopas is a Filipino macaroni soup made with shredded chicken, elbow macaroni, hot dogs or ham, and a variety of vegetables like carrots, celery, and cabbage. The broth is made creamy and rich by the addition of evaporated milk, which is the ingredient that sets it apart from other chicken noodle soups. It’s typically seasoned with fish sauce, salt, pepper, and sometimes a chicken bouillon cube.

2. Can I use chicken breast instead of bone-in chicken?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken breast or thighs in this recipe. Bone-in pieces produce a richer, more flavorful broth because the bones release gelatin and collagen during simmering. If you use boneless chicken, consider using chicken broth instead of plain water as your base to compensate for the reduced depth of flavor.

3. What can I use instead of evaporated milk?

If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can substitute whole-cream milk or even coconut milk for a slightly different flavor profile. Coconut milk will give the soup a subtle sweetness and a creamy consistency, though it will taste noticeably different from the traditional version. Start with a smaller amount and taste as you go, since coconut milk can be quite rich.

4. Why does my sopas taste bland?

Bland sopas is usually the result of under-seasoning. The key is layering flavor at multiple stages: season the chicken broth with bay leaves and peppercorns while it simmers, sauté the vegetables in butter for depth, and add fish sauce (patis) to the soup as it cooks. Fish sauce is the most important seasoning in traditional sopas — it adds umami and savory depth that plain salt cannot replicate. Taste and adjust throughout cooking.

5. Can I make chicken sopas in a slow cooker?

Yes, chicken sopas can be adapted for a slow cooker. Place the chicken, aromatics, water or broth, carrots, celery, and onion in the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Shred the chicken once tender, then return it to the pot. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked macaroni, cabbage, hot dogs, and evaporated milk, and cook on HIGH until the pasta is tender.

Read Also: Mulligatawny Soup Recipe

Final Thoughts

Chicken sopas is the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug in bowl form.

It’s one of those dishes that’s deeply tied to memory and emotion for so many Filipino families — rainy afternoons, sick days, merienda time, and cold holiday evenings. And once you make it at home, you’ll understand exactly why it’s been passed down through generations.

The recipe is simple, the ingredients are accessible, and the result is genuinely extraordinary.

Give this chicken sopas recipe a try the next time you need something warm, creamy, and comforting. Whether it’s your first time making Filipino food or your hundredth, this soup has a way of making everyone feel right at home.

If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Feel free to share this post with a friend who could use a bowl of something cozy.

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