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This Sopa De Lima, or Mexican Chicken Lime Soup recipe is made with chicken, tomatoes, peppers, and a fresh lime juice and cilantro broth!  

This Mexican Chicken Soup recipe is straight from Isla Mujeres, a city in the Yucatan area of Mexico. I visited Isla Mujeres, Mexico for the first time almost 10 years ago. It’s a small island east of Cancun and not very populous. Only 10,000 people call the island home, but it’s beauty and culture make it the recipient of millions of visitors by boat each year.

The beach, Playa Norte, is one of the top rated beaches in the world. The beach is stunning for sure, but what made me fall in love with the island was the food, especially this delicious Mexican Lime Chicken soup recipe!

Yucatan cuisine is earthy and full of flavor! If you like this flavorful soup recipe, I also recommend trying out Cochinita Pibil and Tixin Chic fish.

a photo of a bowl of sopa de lima

About Sopa de Lima

This Sopa de Lima soup recipe is straight from an authentic Mexican restaurant on the island! It’s pretty typical to see some type of Yucatan lime soup on menus as an appetizer. I did take a bit of a shortcut by using pre-made chicken broth.

I want to make sure that you know that I am taking some shortcuts in this easy soup recipe! If I stuck to tradition, I would make the broth with leftover chicken carcasses. I love the complex flavors that a homemade broth gives! Homemade broth is not always something I have time to make. And that’s okay!

I want to make sure you know that this spicy soup recipe varies from chicken tortilla soup in that there is not a heavy tomato presence in play! It’s a clear, acidic broth with loads of veggies.

a photo of a bowl of sopa de lima (lime chicken soup)

This Sopa De Lima, or Lime Chicken Soup is VERY limey. Don’t be fooled. If you don’t enjoy lime flavor or the idea of a sort of sour soup, don’t try this one! This soup recipe is actually our family’s favorite “sick soup!”

We eschew traditional chicken noodle soup in favor of this lime chicken soup, totally packed with veggies, protein and broth. And I swear, the extra lime juice just has its way of cutting straight through a cold and making a person feel better!

Sopa de Lima Soup Substitutions

This lime chicken soup has plenty of easy ingredient substitutions! Here are a few suggestions below:

  • Substitute diced jalapeño pepper, Anaheim chilies, or chipotle pepper for the poblano peppers.
  • Use vegetable broth instead of the chicken broth. 
  • Instead of a rotisserie chicken, use boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs! Just simmer them in the large soup pot with the broth and the veggies
  • Add a scoop of rice to the soup! Brown rice or white rice is fine.
  • Add a pinch of chili powder.

Serving Suggestions

I think this Mexican Lime Soup is best when served warm in soup bowls, topped with fresh cilantro and avocado. Cut some extra lime wedges so everyone can enjoy extra fresh lime if desired.

You may also want to provide corn tortillas, tortilla strips or tortilla chips to enhance the depth of flavor.

Storing Leftover Caldo de Pollo

I think that this Mexican lime chicken soup is even more delicious the next day! 

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or at half power in the microwave. 

I hope that you enjoy this beautiful chicken lime soup! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below.

Sopa de Lima

Sopa de Lima

Yield: 5
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Author: Michelle Goth
This Sopa de Lima is an authentic Mexican chicken soup recipe! Made with lots of veggies, chicken and LOTS of lime juice, this soup is frequently seen in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico.
5 from 7 ratings
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Ingredients
 

FOR THE BROTH:

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 64 ounces chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano

SOUP INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 red onions, chopped
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 4 limes, juice 3, slice the 4th and set aside
  • 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded, skin removed
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon Mexican oregano

FOR GARNISH:

  • 5 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 avocado, diced, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • To make the broth, add olive oil to a dutch oven or large pot and heat over medium. Add onions and saute for 2-3 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add garlic and saute quickly for a minute or less (do not burn).
  • Reduce heat to a simmer, add chicken broth, pepper, sea salt and oregano. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes.

For the soup

  • In a separate skillet, add olive oil and heat on medium. Add poblano, onion and carrot and saute for 3-4 minutes, until they begin to soften.
  • Add roma tomatoes, saute for 2-3 minutes until soft, then add sauteed vegetables to broth. Simmer the broth for an additional 20 minutes.
  • Add lime juice, shredded chicken, salt, pepper, oregano. Cover and simmer another 10 minutes.
  • Serve while hot, topped with fresh cilantro, avocado and lime wedges.

Notes

  • Optional: Serve with crunchy tortilla chips!
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 386kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 122mg, Sodium: 2128mg, Potassium: 538mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 2515IU, Vitamin C: 64mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 1mg
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