Servings: 5–6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
This Hearty Chicken Pepper Soup with Cassava and Plantains is warm, nourishing, and packed with bold, comforting flavors. Tender chicken simmers in a rich, aromatic broth with garlic, herbs, and spicy habanero peppers, while cassava and green plantains make it a filling and satisfying meal.
This traditional-style soup is perfect for cozy nights, family dinners, or when you want something hearty and flavorful. The combination of herbs, spices, and root vegetables creates a deeply comforting dish that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
Meat
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
Produce
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp cilantro
5 cloves garlic
2 habanero peppers
1 medium onion
1 tbsp parsley
2 green plantains, peeled and cut into chunks
2 green onions, chopped
Canned Goods
1 tbsp chicken bouillon
Baking & Spices
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
½ tsp white pepper
Liquids
9½ cups water
Other
1 bay leaf
16 oz cassava (yuca), peeled and cut into chunks
¼ cup njansa (optional)
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Cut chicken into pieces and rinse if preferred. Peel cassava and plantains, then cut into medium chunks. Chop onions, garlic, herbs, and green onions.
Start the Chicken
Place chicken pieces into a large pot. Add onion, garlic, habanero peppers, bay leaf, salt, white pepper, paprika, and chicken bouillon.
Add Water and Simmer
Pour in water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
Add Cassava
Add cassava pieces to the pot and cook for 10–15 minutes until they begin to soften.
Add Plantains
Add plantain chunks and continue cooking for another 15–20 minutes until both cassava and plantains are tender.
Add Herbs and Finish
Stir in basil, cilantro, parsley, green onions, and optional njansa. Allow soup to simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
Serve
Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve hot and enjoy.
Additional Notes
Tips for Best Flavor
Use whole chicken for richer broth
Adjust heat by reducing or increasing habanero peppers
Let soup simmer slowly for best flavor
Meal Prep & Storage
Store in refrigerator up to 3 days
Soup thickens naturally the next day
Reheat gently before serving
Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)
Calories: 280–320
Protein: 20–25g
Carbs: 24–30g
Fat: 10–14g
