How to Make the Perfect Filipino Chicken Tinola Soup
Filipino · Easy · 45 min · 5 servings
Filipino Chicken Tinola Soup is a nourishing and deeply comforting kid friendly recipe featuring tender chicken in a ginger broth with papaya and leafy greens. Parents love serving this wholesome soup to children because it is gentle on the stomach warming to the body and packed with nutrients that support growing kids.
Why this recipe works
This Filipino Chicken Tinola Soup recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 220 calories with 24g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 lbs chicken pieces bone in
- 1.5 cups green papaya peeled and cubed
- 2 cups fresh spinach or malunggay leaves
- 2 inch fresh ginger peeled and sliced
- 1 piece onion quartered
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 6 cups water or chicken broth
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Saute Aromatics
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat and saute ginger and onion for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened releasing their wonderful aroma.
Step 2: Brown and Simmer Chicken
Add chicken pieces to the pot and lightly brown for 3 minutes then pour in water or chicken broth bring to a boil and simmer over medium low heat for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Step 3: Add Papaya
Add the cubed green papaya to the pot and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the papaya becomes tender but still holds its shape and does not turn mushy.
Step 4: Add Greens and Season
Stir in spinach or malunggay leaves and cook for just 1 minute until wilted then season with fish sauce to taste and serve piping hot with steamed white rice.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- green papaya → chayote squash which is easier to find in most supermarkets and has a similar mild texture
- fish sauce → soy sauce plus a small pinch of salt for a less fishy and more kid friendly seasoning
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding the leafy greens too early which causes them to overcook and turn an unappealing yellow color
- Not sauteing the ginger and onion first which results in a flat broth that lacks the signature depth of authentic tinola
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 220 calories, 24g protein, 10g carbs, 8g fat, 2g fiber.
Ready to cook?
Get the interactive recipe with adjustable servings, built-in timers, and ingredient checklist.
View full recipe →