Caldo Tlalpeño (Chipotle Chicken and Chickpea Soup)

Caldo Tlalpeño brings together the comfort of a clear Mexican chicken soup with the deeper savoury notes of tomato, garlic and dried chipotle. The broth is gently smoky rather than heavy, with chickpeas adding substance and boneless chicken thighs keeping the soup tender and satisfying. Lime and fresh coriander are stirred in at the end so the finish stays bright, while ripe avocado softens the heat and gives each bowl a creamy contrast. It is a practical one-pot dinner: warming, balanced and easy to adjust with extra lime, herbs or chipotle at the table.
Cuisine style Mexican home cooking
Flavor profile Smoky • Savoury • Bright
Spice level Medium
Techniques Sautéing • Simmering
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Meal prep friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Layered broth: Softened onion, garlic, tomato and chipotle create a savoury base before the chicken stock is added.
  • Bright finish: Lime and fresh coriander lift the smoky broth and keep the soup from tasting heavy.
  • Creamy contrast: Ripe avocado added at serving gives richness without muting the broth’s heat and acidity.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • For a milder soup: Use less crumbled chipotle or leave it in larger pieces so the smokiness comes through with gentler heat.
  • For more heat: Crush the chipotle more finely so it disperses through the broth, then let the soup stand briefly before serving.
  • Balance at the table: Extra lime and avocado help round out the chilli heat without flattening the flavour.

Ingredient notes

  • Chipotle brings smoke as well as heat: Dried chipotle gives the broth its distinctive smoky character, so adjust it carefully rather than treating it like a neutral chilli.
  • Use ripe tomatoes: Tomatoes that soften easily in the pan give the broth better body and a rounder flavour.
  • Add avocado last: Avocado is best diced just before serving so it stays creamy, fresh and intact in the hot soup.

Make-ahead tips

  • Cook the soup ahead: The broth, chicken and chickpeas can be made in advance and refrigerated once fully cooled.
  • Keep fresh toppings separate: Store avocado, coriander and lime separately and add them only when serving.
  • Reheat gently: Warm the soup on the hob until piping hot, keeping it at a steady simmer so the chicken stays tender.

Authenticity notes

  • Recognisable Mexican soup: Caldo Tlalpeño is closely associated with chicken, chickpeas, chipotle, tomato, lime and avocado rather than a plain chicken broth.
  • Home-style serving: It is commonly served as a complete bowl, with the fresh garnishes added at the end for contrast.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
Print
  1. Finely chop the onion and slice the garlic. Crumble the chipotle pepper into small pieces, then roughly chop the tomatoes.
  2. Put a large pot over medium heat and add the onion with a splash of chicken stock to stop it catching. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic and chipotle and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the tomatoes and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring, until they start to break down and look jammy at the edges. Tip in the chicken thighs and turn them in the tomato mixture to coat.
  4. Pour in the remaining chicken stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  5. Add the canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed) and simmer for 5 minutes to warm through. Taste and squeeze in lime a little at a time until it tastes bright and balanced.
  6. Roughly chop the fresh coriander and stir most of it into the soup. Ladle into bowls and top with diced avocado and the remaining coriander, then serve hot with extra lime at the table if you like.

Made this recipe? Rate it — a comment is optional.

Recipe notes

Tips

  • For a clearer broth, keep the soup at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil, and skim any foam that rises in the first few minutes.
  • If you prefer more heat, crush the chipotle pepper more finely so it disperses through the broth, then let the soup stand off the heat for 5 minutes before serving.
  • If serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the chicken is cooked until piping hot throughout before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace chicken thighs with chicken breast for a leaner soup; add it in the same step but reduce the simmering time to 10 to 12 minutes so it stays juicy.
  • Replace fresh coriander with fresh flat-leaf parsley for a milder, less citrusy finish.
  • Replace lime with lemon for a similar acidity if that is what you have.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Freeze the soup without the avocado for best texture, then defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the hob until piping hot; add fresh avocado and coriander to serve.

Ratings & reviews

Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.

Tried this recipe?

Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.

If you leave a comment, use 10–500 characters.

Stay inspired

Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.

Caldo Tlalpeño (Chipotle Chicken and Chickpea Soup)
Image by JustRecipes
Pinterest

Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 45min (20min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Mexican
Beginner friendly One pot Freezer friendly

Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.

Add to meal planner

Equipment you'll need

Advertisement

Recommended tools for this recipe

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel

Got ingredients left?

Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.

Find recipes with these ingredients →

Make this recipe easier next time

Advertisement

These tools help you get better results with less effort.

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel
Best value

Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board

Easy-clean double-sided board
  • Separate surfaces for meat and produce
  • Resists odors and stains
  • Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
Top quality

WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Premium German chef knife
  • Excellent build quality
  • Reliable edge retention
  • Expensive
Best overall

OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set

Practical everyday board set
  • Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
  • Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
  • Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time

Browse alphabetically

Looking for a specific recipe? Choose a letter below to jump directly to recipes starting with that letter or number.

Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?

Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.

Add JustRecipes to Google

Every recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.