Last Updated on May 20, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Tomato Chayote Chicken Soup makes the perfect bowl of soup on cool winter nights. A healthy and complete bowl.
This soup was taken from a cookbook I have on Middle Eastern & African Cooking, however I made a number of changes to the original recipe as I found it a little bland.
Chayote is a vegetable that has many different names even in English, depending on what country you are in. Most Americans and Mexicans call it chayote, Jamaicans cal it cho-cho, Africans and some Caribbeans call it christopene and in New Orleans & the French Caribbean it is called mirliton. Whatever you call it, it is one of my favorite vegetables to include in soups. It is a member of the squash family and will absorb other flavors rapidly.
However, it does have an enzyme that many people have a skin allergy to, including me. This is why it is sold in individual plastic bags. Just wear gloves when preparing the vegetable. Once it is cooked, there won’t be any problems eating this delicious vegetable.
It’s definitely the time of year for chicken soup. Here are some other varietal chicken soups you might enjoy!
Chicken Soup Recipes
- Chicken Wheatberry Soup
- Chicken Mustard Green Congee
- Korean Chicken Rice Soup – Dak Juk
- Laotian Chicken Noodle Soup
- Mizo Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Khao Soi – Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
- Green Pozole – Mexican Hominy Soup with Chicken & Pork
- Suriname Peanut Soup with Chicken
This soup is the perfect comfort food now with cool temperatures.
It is a healthy complete meal!
Tomato Chayote (aka christophene) Soup
Ingredients
- 8 oz. skinless and boneless chicken thighs
- 1 finely chopped garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 chopped small onion
- 2 chopped small green chile or 1 serrano pepper
- 2 cups. canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 peeled cored and diced chayote/christophene
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
- salt to taste
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season chicken with garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Leave to marinate for 1/2 hour.
- In a large pot, heat oil. Add onion and cook until onions soften.
- Add chicken and stir fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomatoes, 1 cup water, chile, chayote, sugar, thyme, cayenne, oregano and garam masala. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- Add parsley and adjust salt as needed. Cook for 1 more minute.
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I have not used chayote in much more than salads and I stuffed them once. 😉 Your soup makes me want to experiment with them more. Thanks for sharing your soup with Souper Sundays this week–it's always nice to have you.
Wow that's really some inclusion you did!..we do cook chayote frequently, never thought of making it in a soup..very nice one..
That is a perfect soup for chilly, snowy days like today. Very healthy & nutritious too.
I have never heard of chayote. I will be sure to look for it next time I am at the grocery store. We are right at the beginning of comfort food season. This is perfect to add to the rotation of homemade soups.
Chayote has become quite common in recent years. You should be able to find it at your local market. It is a green pear shaped vegetable a member of the squash family but if you cannot source it, zucchini would be a good substitute.
This came to me at the perfect time, its super chilly in the UK so I need to make this right now!
yes we are also having freezing temperatures here in NYC
I’m not familiar with chayote but I’m excited to try something new. The flavors of the soup all sound amazing.
definitely try it – I am sure you will like this vegetable as much as I do. It is so versatile – great in salads also and in curries
I have never tried that vegetable, I’m not sure if I can find it in the Asian store here, but I will definitely look. This looks so hearty and yummy!
Hope you can find it. If so, I am sure you will like it – It has a very clean and refreshing taste almost like a cucumber so is also great for salads
Wow a lot of healthy ingredients going there. Chayote is new to me, will love to try with this combination.
really? it is used a lot in Indian cooking that surprises me. Anyway this is the perfect bowl of soup on a cold night
Just perfect for this blistery wintry day we are having in MD. I’m adding this to my monthly soup rotation. Thanks for sharing this hearty recipe.
your welcome – I am sure you will enjoy it. Us to in NYC it is freezing today!
I really enjoy chayote and we normally stir-fry it or cook in a coconut milk during a big feast. Never tried adding that with tomato but it sounds so good and comforting.
it’s wonderful in soups and I am sure you will enjoy this combination
Soup is my favorite, especially this time of the year. I’m always looking for
something new and unique so I’m very excited to try this one! Thanks for sharing!
yes soup is the perfect comfort food in these cold weather days
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of chayote…I’ll have to ask my mom, because she’s from Trinidad, so I’m sure she’s called it a different name that I don’t remember 🙂 This soup looks delicious, so warm and comforting
the different Caribbean islands have different names for it – in Dominica they call it christophene – in Jamaica they call it cho cho I am not sure about Trinidad. My aunt from Curacao just calls it pear vegetable. However, I am sure they use it in Trinidad also as I have seen Trini people use it to make chutney and achar
I love learning about new foods and I had to look up ‘chayote’ because I had never heard of it! This soup sounds delicious! I don’t think I can find chayote here in Italy. Maybe I can use zucchini instead.
yes if you can’t find chayote zucchini would be a good substitute that has a similar taste though chayote is firmer in texture
I don’t know why but I have a special thing about tomato soups lately. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed them like I do now. They are so creamy and comforting and rich! Great recipe.
I never used to like tomato soup either but now I love it!
I haven’t cooked chayote, but I need to change that. This soup sound so flavorful and delicious. Thanks for sharing!
It is a very clean and fresh tasting vegetable. I am sure you would enjoy it. You should try it.
Tomato soup might be my favorite soup! I have never thought of adding chicken!! What a great idea!!
yes – tomato soup can be the base and you can add any variety of ingredients
I was just at my local Asian market last week and came across chayotes. I had never heard of them, nor did I know what to do with them. I’m glad you shared this! I’m going back to get some so I can make your recipe!
I am glad you learned something new. I am sure when you try it, you will love it. You can also use it in curries, salads or even as a simple stir fry. Here are my other chayote recipes you might like to try – https://globalkitchentravels.com/?s=chayote
Chayotes are a common winter veggie used in my Mexican culture and I love them but have never tried them is a tomato soup sounds like a yummy idea.
we also eat in in the Caribbean – mostly in soups, salads or achar (pickled) – Hope you like it in soup 🙂