u003cstrongu003eQ: Can I use chicken breast instead of thigh?u003c/strongu003e

u003cstrongu003eA:u003c/strongu003e Yes, chicken breast works well. Just be careful not to overcook it.

u003cstrongu003eQ: What does chayote taste like?u003c/strongu003e

u003cstrongu003eA:u003c/strongu003e It has a very mild, slightly sweet flavor, similar to squash or cucumber.

u003cstrongu003eQ: Can I store leftovers?u003c/strongu003e

u003cstrongu003eA:u003c/strongu003e Yes, keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

u003cstrongu003eQ: Is this soup spicy?u003c/strongu003e

u003cstrongu003eA:u003c/strongu003e No, it’s very mild unless you add chili on the side.

Chicken Chayote Squash Soup

5.0 from 1 vote

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There are some soups that don’t try to impress. They don’t come with heavy spices or long ingredient lists.
They just sit quietly on the stove, filling the kitchen with a gentle smell that feels like home.

This Chicken Chayote Squash Soup is one of those recipes for me. It’s a simple Khmer countryside soup, the kind my family cooked without measuring spoons or timers. Just a pot, a knife, and whatever was fresh that day.

If you grew up eating light, comforting soups with rice, this one will feel familiar.
And if you didn’t, I hope it becomes something you return to on slow evenings when you want something warm, clean, and soothing.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

This soup is very easy to make, even if you’ve never cooked soup before. There’s no frying, no complicated steps, and no stress.

The flavor is soft and clean. The chicken is tender, the chayote squash becomes slightly sweet and silky, and the broth tastes light but satisfying.

It’s also gentle on the stomach. On days when you don’t want heavy food, this soup feels right.

And most of all, it feels honest. This is real everyday food, not a restaurant dish, but the kind of soup people actually cook and eat at home.

My Personal Experience

I remember this soup from my childhood in the countryside. It wasn’t something we talked about as a “recipe.” It was just soup.

My mother would cut the chayote squash on a wooden board that had deep knife marks from years of use.
The sound of the knife hitting the board is still clear in my memory.

When the pot started bubbling, the smell of chicken and onion filled the air. Not strong, not spicy. Just clean and comforting. We usually ate it with a big plate of rice, sitting together, talking quietly. No rush. No phones.

Now, when I cook this soup in my own kitchen, it brings me back to those moments. It reminds me that good food doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful.

Easy-to-Find Ingredients

One thing I love about this recipe is how simple the ingredients are. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive.

Chayote squash is very common in Khmer cooking and easy to find in Asian markets. If you’ve never used it before, don’t worry. It’s mild, forgiving, and perfect for beginners.

Chicken, onion, fish sauce, sugar, and pepper are pantry basics in many homes. This is the kind of soup you can make without planning too much ahead.

Ingredients List

4 cups water
1 lb (450 g) chicken thigh or 1 chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small yellow onion, sliced
2 chayote squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into bite-size cubes
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 stalks green onion, chopped

Why These Ingredients Are Used

Chicken – Adds natural sweetness and protein to the broth
Chayote squash – Soft texture and mild flavor that absorbs the soup
Yellow onion – Gives gentle sweetness and aroma
Fish sauce – Brings depth and saltiness without heaviness
Sugar – Balances the salt and enhances natural flavors
Black pepper – Adds light warmth without overpowering
Green onion – Fresh finish and soft crunch

Cooking Equipment Needed

Soup pot – Medium size, enough space for gentle boiling
Sharp knife – For cutting chicken and vegetables safely
Cutting board – Keeps preparation clean and organized
Spoon or ladle – For stirring and serving

Cooking Instructions

Start by pouring the water into your soup pot. Place it on the stove over medium heat and let it come to a gentle boil.

Once the water starts bubbling, add the chicken pieces and sliced onion. You’ll notice a soft chicken smell rising almost immediately.

Let the chicken cook until it becomes tender. Don’t rush this step. Gentle boiling keeps the meat soft. Next, add the chayote squash. The pot will come back to a boil, and the squash will slowly soften.

Season the soup with fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Taste and adjust gently. This soup should never be too salty or too sweet. Turn off the heat and top with green onion just before serving.

Step-by-Step Directions

Add water to a soup pot and bring to a boil
Add chicken and sliced onion, cook until chicken is tender
Add chayote squash and let soup boil again
Season with fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper
Turn off heat and sprinkle green onion on top
Serve hot with rice

Tips for Best Flavor

Use chicken thigh for a richer, softer texture
Cut chayote evenly so it cooks at the same speed
Keep the soup lightly seasoned for a clean taste
Don’t overcook the chayote; it should be soft, not mushy

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice
Add a small dish of chili sauce on the side if you like heat
Enjoy it as a light dinner or simple lunch
Pair with fresh vegetables or herbs

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Chayote Squash Soup is not flashy. And that’s exactly why I love it.

It’s the kind of soup you make when you want calm. When you want something that feels gentle and nourishing.

Cooking this soup always slows me down. It reminds me to breathe, taste, and appreciate small things.

I hope this recipe brings warmth to your kitchen the way it always has to mine.

If you enjoy simple homemade soups, you may also like Mustard Green Soup with Roasted Meat for its rich, savory flavor, or Bitter Vines Soup with Chicken, a comforting dish with a gentle bitterness many families enjoy.

This article on the benefits of chayote squash explains how this mild vegetable adds nutrients and light freshness to soups and everyday meals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use chicken breast instead of thigh?

A: Yes, chicken breast works well. Just be careful not to overcook it.

Q: What does chayote taste like?

A: It has a very mild, slightly sweet flavor, similar to squash or cucumber.

Q: Can I store leftovers?

A: Yes, keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Q: Is this soup spicy?

A: No, it’s very mild unless you add chili on the side.