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Asopao de Pollo

A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Asopao de Pollo is the island’s beloved chicken stew-soup, thickened with rice until it is neither soup nor rice but something glorious in between.

⏱ 25 minPrep time
🔥 60 minCook time
🍽 8Servings
🏷 Puerto Rican KitchenCategory
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Asopao de Pollo - Portoricain recipe

A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Asopao de Pollo is the island’s beloved chicken stew-soup, thickened with rice until it is neither soup nor rice but something glorious in between. Sofrito, annatto, olives and a splash of beer build a broth so fragrant it is said to cure any ailment. Puerto Ricans call it the island’s penicillin.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Season the chicken with adobo and oregano. In a large pot, heat the annatto oil and brown the chicken in batches, 4 to 5 minutes per side; set aside.
  2. In the same pot, cook the sofrito and tomato sauce 3 minutes until fragrant. Add the rice and stir to coat.
  3. Pour in the broth and beer, return the chicken to the pot, and add the olives. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered over medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked and the soup has thickened.
  4. Stir in the peas and pimientos and cook 5 minutes more, adding broth or water if it gets too thick.
  5. Season to taste, shower with cilantro, and serve in deep bowls with lemon wedges.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Stir occasionally so the rice does not stick, but leave it a little soupy, as asopao thickens as it rests. Squeeze the lemon over each bowl at the table.

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Recipe details

Prep25 min
Cook60 min
Servings8
CategoryPuerto Rican Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →