Tinola Recipe

Discover the comforting warmth of Tinola, a classic Filipino chicken soup featuring tender chicken, fragrant ginger, and the refreshing bite of green papaya. This recipe, passed down through generations, is easy to follow and adaptable to your taste. Learn how to perfectly balance the savory depth of fish sauce (use sparingly at first!) and the delightful textures of this traditional Filipino dish. Don't have green papaya? No problem! Zucchini or chayote make delicious substitutes. Get ready for a taste of home, wherever you are!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 60 mins
Calories 538.3 kcal
Protein 83g
Rating Be the first
Tinola 41

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Tinola

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How to Make Tinola

  1. Rinse 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs and place them in a large pot. Add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.
  2. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, skim off any foam that rises to the surface, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. While the chicken simmers, prepare the aromatics: Peel and thinly slice 1 inch ginger, and finely chop 2 cloves of garlic.
  4. Add the ginger and garlic to the pot along with 1 teaspoon fish sauce (start with less and add more to taste later).
  5. Peel and thinly slice 1 medium green papaya (or 1 medium zucchini/chayote). Add the papaya to the pot.
  6. Simmer for another 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the papaya is tender. If using zucchini/chayote, add it during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve hot and garnish with chopped scallions (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

61 g

Sugar

25g

Fat

47g

Carbs

4g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Starters Soups, Stews & Chilis Main Courses Lunch Main Dish / Dinner Side Dishes Poultry Chicken Recipes Asian Healthy Gluten Free One Pot Meals

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion Very Low Carbs Soups Stews Fruit Poultry Asian Stocks Chicken Filipino Dietary Low Calorie Comfort Food Low Carb Low In Something Tropical Fruit Papaya Meat Taste Mood

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Tinola?

Tinola takes about 80 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Tinola?

Tinola has approximately 538.3 calories per serving, with about 83 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates and 53 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Tinola?

The key ingredients for Tinola are Chicken, Cooking Oil, Fresh Ginger, Garlic Cloves, Onion, Fish Sauce. See the full list with measurements above.

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