On a cold day, there's nothing quite so comforting as a piping-hot bowl of chicken soup. Which is why it's no surprise that just about every culture around the world has their own version. From Thailand to Colombia to Portugal, here are some of our favorites.

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Colombian Ajiaco

This hearty soup is one of Colombia's most famous dishes. The broth is thick and full-bodied, with shredded chicken and potatoes, and garnished with diced avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and a spicy chile pasta called aji.

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Chicken Noodle Soup with Lemongrass

In this cross between Vietnamese pho and Japanese udon soup, thick and chewy fresh udon noodles are the star, embellished with shiitakes, chiles, basil, lime juice, and soy sauce.

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Chicken Meatball & Escarole Soup

Served with crusty bread, this quick spin on Italian wedding soup—which is normally made with beef, pork, and veal meatballs—makes a satisfying dinner.

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Thai Tome Ka Gai

Coconut milk infused with aromatic galangal or ginger, lime juice, and lemongrass make this simple Thai classic taste deceptively complex.

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Red Pozole with Chicken (Pozole Rojo Con Pollo)

This Mexican stew is perfect party food: it feeds a crowd and the toppings passed around the table add to the festive nature of the dish. It’s traditional to serve the chicken in whole pieces, but you can pull the cooked chicken off the bone and add the meat back to the stew if you like.

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Portuguese Canja

This chicken and rice soup gets a bright flavor from a good amount of fresh lemon juice and chopped mint. Basmati rice isn't strictly traditional, but it holds its shape in a soup better than other long-grain varieties.

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Classic American Chicken-Noodle Soup

This is the kind of chicken soup your mom gave you when you were sick (or you wish she did): rich, full-flavored broth full of egg noodles, diced carrots, and tender peas.

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Chicken Soup with Lime and Hominy

This is a quick and easy version of sopa de lima, a comforting yet refreshing Yucatan chicken soup made tangy with fresh lime juice. Tasty garnishes include fried tortilla strips (or tortilla chips), diced avocado, and fresh cilantro.

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Ginger Chicken Soup

The classic Chinese flavor profile of garlic, fresh ginger, and scallions flavors this easy soup. Baby spinach is added just before serving for bright color and flavor.  

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Chicken & Tortilla Soup

This Southwestern-style soup is a meal in a bowl, chock full of shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, sweet corn, and black beans. Crunchy tortilla strips, avocado and crumbled cheese make an eye-catching garnish.

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