Tinola

Warm up your dining table with Tinola, a comforting and nutrient-packed Filipino chicken soup that's perfect for any day of the year. This traditional dish features tender chicken simmered in an aromatic broth infused with ginger, garlic, and onions for a burst of savory flavor. Its unique combination of green papaya, which becomes soft and subtly sweet as it cooks, and fresh spinach or chili leaves adds both texture and nutrition. Enhanced with a splash of fish sauce for depth and perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper, this recipe brings authentic Filipino flavors to your home in under an hour. Served piping hot alongside steamed rice, Tinola is a wholesome, hearty meal that’s as easy to prepare as it is satisfying. Perfect for family meals, this recipe is a must-try for lovers of global comfort foods!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 kg chicken pieces (preferably legs and thighs)
• 1 medium green papaya, peeled and cut into wedges
• 100 grams spinach leaves (or chili leaves)
• 50 grams ginger, julienned
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 4 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1.5 liters water
• 500 ml chicken broth (optional)
• 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the ginger is fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are lightly browned on all sides.

Step 4

Pour in the fish sauce and stir well to coat the chicken with the flavors from the pot. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 5

Add the water and chicken broth (if using) to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 6

Cover the pot and let the chicken cook for about 20 minutes, until it is tender.

Step 7

Add the green papaya wedges to the pot and continue to simmer until the papaya is tender but not too soft, around 10-15 minutes.

Step 8

Season the soup with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 9

Finally, add the spinach leaves into the pot. Stir gently until they begin to wilt.

Step 10

Turn off the heat and let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving.

Step 11

Serve hot with steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3922.4 grams (3922.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2795

Total Fat 180.60g	232%
Saturated Fat 46.70g	234%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 900mg	300%
Sodium 8946mg	389%
Total Carbohydrate 88.80g	32%
Dietary Fiber 14.80g	53%
Total Sugars 39.90g
Protein 194.50g	389%

Vitamin D 50IU	250%
Calcium 506mg	39%
Iron 18mg	98%
Potassium 4065mg	86%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.9%

Protein: 28.2%

Carbs: 12.9%