Chicken Zoodle Soup: A Latin-Inspired Comfort Dish with a Low-Carb Twist

April 5, 2025

15 minutes

easy

4-6

Jump to Recipe

There’s nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of chicken soup on a rainy day or on a day you need to lift your spirits, especially when it’s packed with flavor and made with love. What if I told you we could give the classic chicken soup a little Latin flair and make it healthier? Hola… Chicken Zoodle Soup, a dish that’s equal parts nostalgic and modern, combining the bold sazón of Puerto Rican cooking with a low-carb twist.

This isn’t your traditional chicken soup. This version of chicken soup isn’t just about comfort, it’s about nourishment. With ingredients like fresh sofrito, tender chicken, and vibrant zoodles, it’s a recipe that honors our heritage while supporting your health goals. Whether you’re following AIP, Paleo, Whole30, or just looking for a meal that feels like a warm hug, this dish has got you covered.

So, grab your apron, because we’re about to cook up something delicious. A nutrient-packed recipe, as good for your body as it is for your soul. No guilt, just sazón.

Why Chicken Zoodle Soup Is a Must-Try

Chicken soup is a staple in almost every culture, but what makes this version stand out is the bold Latin flavors and the creative use of zucchini noodles (zoodles). By swapping out traditional noodles for zoodles, keeping it light, low-carb, and packed with nutrients, without sacrificing that comforting, hearty feel. Here’s why you’ll love it:

  1. Bold Puerto Rican Flavors: Sofrito, sazón, and adobo are the stars of this dish, bringing that unmistakable Latin flavor we all crave.
  2. Low-Carb Goodness: By swapping traditional noodles for zucchini zoodles, we’re keeping things light and nutrient-packed.
  3. Immune-Boosting Ingredients: With turmeric, garlic, and fresh veggies, this soup is as good for your body as it is for your soul.
  4. Versatile and Diet-Friendly: Whether you’re gluten-free, Whole30, or just trying to eat cleaner, this soup fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
  5. Comfort with a Twist: It’s a modern take on a classic, blending tradition with health-conscious choices.

The Health Benefits of Chicken Zoodle Soup

This soup isn’t just delicious, it’s packed with ingredients that are good for you. Let’s break it down:

1. Immune Support
The combination of chicken, garlic, and turmeric makes this soup a powerhouse for your immune system. Chicken broth (or water with bouillon) provides hydration and essential minerals, while garlic and turmeric bring anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties to the table.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Boost
Turmeric is a star ingredient here, thanks to curcumin, its active compound that’s known to reduce inflammation. Pair that with the antioxidants in cilantro and you’ve got a recipe that’s both healing and flavorful.

3. Nutrient-Dense Veggies
Zoodles (spiralized zucchini), carrots, and yuca or potatoes add a rainbow of nutrients to your bowl. Zucchini is low in carbs and rich in vitamins A and C, while yuca and carrots provide fiber and energy-boosting carbs.

4. Heart-Healthy Fats
Using avocado or achiote oil adds healthy fats that support heart health and give the soup a rich, satisfying flavor.

5. A Flavorful Hydration Boost
The broth (or bouillon-based water) not only delivers flavor but also helps keep you hydrated, a must when you’re under the weather or just need a pick-me-up.

Chicken Zoodle Soup Recipe

Now that you know why this dish is so amazing, let’s get cooking!

Servings: 4-6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp avocado or achiote oil
  • 2 tbsp sofrito of choice
  • ¼ cup green or yellow onions, diced
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • 2 tbsp chicken bouillon paste
  • 1 lb boneless chicken, cubed
  • 1 tsp Healthy Rican Sazón
  • 2 tsp Healthy Rican Adobo or Savory Chicken Mix
  • 1 tsp garlic (fresh or granulated)
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric (optional, for an extra immune boost)
  • 2 cups yuca or potatoes, cubed (optional, omit if following a low-carb diet)
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 zucchini, spiraled into zoodles
  • 2 cups of water OR use 2 cups of chicken broth
  • Juice of 1 lime (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Sauté the Base: Heat the avocado or achiote oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sofrito and diced onions, sautéing until fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
  2. Build the Flavor: Stir in the chicken bouillon paste, cilantro, sazón, adobo, garlic, and turmeric. Mix well to coat the aromatics in the spices.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the pot, with 1 cup of the water or broth and cook covered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on the outside.
  4. Add the Veggies: Toss in the yuca or potatoes and carrots, then pour in the remaining water or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the yuca or potatoes are tender.
  5. Incorporate the Zoodles: Add the spiralized zucchini noodles to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until they’re tender but still have a slight bite.
  6. Finish with Freshness: Stir in the lime juice if desired and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with extra chopped cilantro, and serve immediately.

Tips for the Perfect Bowl

  1. Make It Your Own: Don’t have yuca? Swap it for sweet potatoes or more carrots. Want extra heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  2. Batch Cooking: This soup freezes beautifully, so make a big batch and store portions for quick, nourishing meals later.
  3. Homemade Sofrito: If you want to take the flavor to the next level, whip up your own sofrito from scratch. It’s easier than you think and totally worth it! Find the recipes on our Sofrito 101 blog. 

Why You’ll Love This Dish

Chicken Zoodle Soup isn’t just a meal, it’s a celebration of flavor, culture, and health. It’s proof that you don’t have to choose between eating well and enjoying the foods you love. With every spoonful, you’ll taste the bold sazón of Puerto Rican cooking, reimagined for today’s healthier lifestyles.

So, the next time you’re craving comfort with a kick, give this recipe a try. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, with no guilt, just sazón.

What’s your favorite way to add a twist to classic comfort foods? Let me know in the comments below!

Here are some reliable sources you can reference to explore the health benefits of the ingredients in Chicken Zoodle Soup:

  1. Healthline
    • A trusted resource for general health and nutrition information. Website: www.healthline.com
  2. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
    • The NIH provides detailed studies and articles on the nutritional and medicinal properties of various foods and spices.
    • Website: www.nih.gov
  3. The World’s Healthiest Foods (WHFoods)
    • This website offers in-depth nutritional profiles for a variety of foods, including vegetables, herbs, and spices.
    • Website: www.whfoods.com
  4. PubMed
    • A database of scientific studies, where you can find peer-reviewed research on the health benefits of ingredients like turmeric, garlic, and chicken broth.
    • Website: www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. American Heart Association (AHA)
    • For information on heart-healthy ingredients like olive oil and vegetables.
    • Website: www.heart.org
  6. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    • This site provides evidence-based insights into the health benefits of various foods and their role in a balanced diet.
    • Website: www.hsph.harvard.edu
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Ingredients

Adjust Servings
1 tbsp avocado or achiote oil
2 tbsp sofrito of choice
¼ cup green or yellow onions, diced
¼ cup cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
2 tbsp chicken bouillon paste
1 lb boneless chicken, cubed
1 tsp Healthy Rican Sazón
2 tsp Healthy Rican Adobo or Savory Chicken Mix
1 tsp garlic (fresh or granulated)
1 tsp ground turmeric (optional, for an extra immune boost)
2 cups yuca or potatoes, cubed
1 cup carrots, sliced into thin rounds
1 zucchini, spiraled into zoodles
2 cups of water OR use 2 cups of chicken broth
1 lime juice (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1.

Sauté the Base

Heat the avocado or achiote oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sofrito and diced onions, sautéing until fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
Mark as complete
2.

Build the Flavor

Stir in the chicken bouillon paste, cilantro, sazón, adobo, garlic, and turmeric. Mix well to coat the aromatics in the spices.
Mark as complete
3.

Cook the Chicken

Add the cubed chicken to the pot, with 1 cup of the water or broth and cook covered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on the outside.
Mark as complete
4.

Add the Veggies

Toss in the yuca or potatoes and carrots, then pour in the remaining water or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the yuca or potatoes are tender.
Mark as complete
5.

Incorporate the Zoodles

Add the spiralized zucchini noodles to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until they’re tender but still have a slight bite.
Mark as complete
6.

Finish with Freshness

Stir in the lime juice if desired and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Mark as complete
7.

Serve and Garnish

Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with extra chopped cilantro, and serve immediately.
Mark as complete
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