Creamy Chicken Sopas

Creamy Chicken Macaroni Soup

Since it's been chilly lately, my son requested for something soupy and filling. This Chicken Sopas is the first thing I thought of. It is easy to make and all the ingredients are already available in my kitchen.
Chicken macaroni sopas is a hearty and very satisfying  mid-afternoon snack.  This can also be served for breakfast or dinner, or any time of the day. We Filipinos always crave for sopas, goto and champorado during cold weather and rainy days, they are just very comforting, especially when it is paired with our favorite kakanin (goodies) such as puto (steamed ground rice cake), suman (rice cake wrapped in banana leaves), Bibingka or biko (sweet rice cake) just to name a few.
There are many variations of macaroni soup and ways of cooking it. I usually use chicken. It can be substituted by pork or beef. Different vegetables can also be added such as celery,  green pepper, red bell pepper and cabbage. When I cook sopas, I opt not to put cabbage, it's just my personal preference.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Macaroni Noodles
• 1 lb. Boneless / Skinless Chicken Thigh (sliced in small pieces)
• 4 pcs. Hotdogs or 1 can Vienna Sausage Optional (cubed)
• 2 medium size Carrots (cubed)
• 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 medium size Onion (cubed)
• 1/2 Red Bell Pepper (cubed)
• 1 can Evaporated Milk
• 1 can chicken Broth
• 3 cups Water
• 4 tbsp.  Butter
• 3 tbsp. Fish Sauce/Patis
• Salt and Pepper to taste
  

Let's Cook!

1. Heat a large casserole in medium heat and add butter.
2. Saute garlic and onion until aromatic and translucent.
3. Add Chicken. Season with fish sauce and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add hotdog or vienna sausage. Simmer for 2 minutes.
   
5. Pour in chicken broth and water. Let it boil.
6. Add macaroni noodles. Stir occasionally until al dente.
7. Pour in milk.
8. Add the rest of the vegetables and adjust seasoning with salt or fish sauce and pepper. (I always add the vegetables last or to the time that I'm about to turn off the heat to retain it's natural color and nutrients, also to avoid over cooking).
9. Serve hot with your favorite side goodies.