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Warm up with this creamy Chicken and Ham Sopas, a classic Filipino macaroni soup perfect for cold days. Packed with chicken, ham, vegetables, and noodles!
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🥣 What is Chicken and Ham Sopas?
Chicken and Ham Sopas is a Filipino-style macaroni soup that’s warm, creamy, and comforting. Often served during rainy days or when someone’s feeling under the weather, this dish is the Philippines’ answer to chicken noodle soup — but richer, creamier, and more flavorful.
What makes this sopas special? The addition of ham, ground chicken, carrots, potatoes, and celery, simmered in evaporated milk, gives it a heartwarming depth of flavor that will bring you back to your childhood kitchen.
💡 Why You’ll Love This Filipino Sopas Recipe
- ✅ Creamy and satisfying
- ✅ Easy to make with pantry staples
- ✅ Customizable with different meats and pasta
- ✅ Family-approved Filipino comfort food
🛒 Ingredients for Chicken and Ham Sopas
Make sure you have these ingredients ready:
Ingredient | Notes |
---|---|
½ lb ground chicken | Adds protein and a rich meaty base |
½ lb chopped ham | For salty, savory depth |
12 oz evaporated milk | Gives sopas its signature creaminess |
½ lb wide egg noodles or elbow macaroni | Either works well |
¼ cup butter | Adds richness |
1 medium onion, diced | Essential aromatics |
2 cups celery ribs, chopped | Adds crunch and flavor |
1 large potato, diced | Makes the soup heartier |
2 medium carrots, diced | For sweetness and color |
4 cups chicken broth | Adds umami depth |
3 cups water | Balances the broth |
½ tsp dried thyme | Optional, adds a fragrant note |
Salt and pepper to taste | Seasoning to finish |
👩🍳 How to Make Chicken and Ham Sopas (Step-by-Step)
1. Sauté the Aromatics
Heat a large pot and melt butter. Once hot, add diced onions and cook for 2 minutes until soft.
2. Cook the Meats
Add chopped celery, stir for 1 minute. Then add ground chicken and chopped ham. Sauté for about 3 minutes until lightly browned.
3. Add Liquids
Pour in chicken broth and water. Let the mixture boil, then simmer for 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
4. Add Veggies
Stir in diced carrots and potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly tender.
5. Make It Creamy
Pour in the evaporated milk. Let it boil again, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add Noodles
Add egg noodles or elbow macaroni and sprinkle in dried thyme. Simmer for 12–15 minutes or until pasta is tender.
7. Final Seasoning
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, turn off the heat, and let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving.

🍽️ How to Serve Chicken Sopas
- Serve hot in a bowl
- Pair with pandesal or toasted bread
- Top with a dash of cheese or extra cream if you like it extra rich
- Add a hard-boiled egg on top for a special touch
🔄 Variations and Substitutes
- ✅ No ground chicken? Use shredded chicken breast or thighs.
- ✅ No ham? Add Vienna sausage or cooked bacon bits.
- ✅ Want it richer? Add a splash of heavy cream or cheese.
- ✅ Vegetarian version: Skip the meats and use vegetable broth, plus more veggies like corn and green beans.
💬 Pro Tips
- Don’t overcook the noodles — they’ll keep absorbing liquid even after cooking!
- Store leftovers in the fridge, but add more broth or milk when reheating.
- Taste before adding more salt—ham and broth are already salty.

Chicken and Ham Sopas
Ingredients
Method
- Heat butter in a deep pot. Sauté onions for 2 minutes.
- Add celery. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground chicken and ham. Sauté for 3 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and water. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add carrots and potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in evaporated milk. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add noodles and thyme. Cook 12–15 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
📋 Chicken and Ham Sopas Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
📝 Ingredients:
- ½ lb ground chicken
- ½ lb chopped ham
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- ½ lb wide egg noodles or elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cups celery ribs, chopped
- 1 large potato, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Heat butter in a deep pot. Sauté onions for 2 minutes.
- Add celery. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground chicken and ham. Sauté for 3 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and water. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add carrots and potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour in evaporated milk. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add noodles and thyme. Cook 12–15 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
🧠 Did You Know?
In the Philippines, sopas is not just food—it’s comfort in a bowl. Whether it’s served to someone who’s sick or just made during rainy weather, this creamy chicken soup brings warmth, love, and nostalgia to Filipino families.
📸 Share Your Sopas!
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