Picture a steaming bowl of Italian Chicken Soup, where the savory aroma of garlic and herbs fills your kitchen.
This comforting dish is both simple and satisfying, perfect for a cozy night in.
As the flavors meld together, tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and al dente pasta transform into a delightful meal.
Garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan, each spoonful is a hug in a bowl.
Let’s bring this heartwarming dish to life.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large pot
- 1 cutting board
- 1 knife
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 ladle
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup pasta, small shapes
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Italian Chicken Soup, follow this timeline:
Preparation Activities:
- Reading the Recipe:
- Allocate 5 minutes to thoroughly read the recipe and gather all necessary ingredients and equipment.
- Prep Work (15 minutes):
- Dice the onion, mince the garlic, slice the carrots and celery, and chop the spinach and parsley.
- Measure out the olive oil, dried herbs, salt, and black pepper.
- Confirm the chicken is cooked and shredded beforehand or allocate time for cooking and shredding.
Cooking Activities (45 minutes):
3. Cooking (40 minutes):
- Minute 1-5: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Minute 6-10: Add diced onion and minced garlic, sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Minute 11-15: Stir in sliced carrots and celery, cooking until they begin to soften.
- Minute 16-20: Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.
- Minute 21-25: Pour in chicken broth and bring the soup to a boil.
- Minute 26-30: Reduce heat to a simmer and add shredded chicken to the pot.
- Minute 31-35: Add pasta and cook until pasta is al dente.
- Minute 36-40: Stir in chopped spinach and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Resting Time (10 minutes):
– Minute 41-50: Remove the pot from heat and let the soup rest.
Serving (5 minutes):
5. Serving (5 minutes):
– Minute 51-55: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
This timeline guarantees you efficiently complete preparation and cooking within the allotted time, allowing for a delicious Italian Chicken Soup ready to enjoy.
Adjust the timeline as needed based on your cooking pace and preferences.
Recipe Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent.
Stir in sliced carrots and celery, cooking until they begin to soften.
Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.
Pour in chicken broth and bring the soup to a boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer and add shredded chicken to the pot.
Add pasta and cook until pasta is al dente.
Stir in chopped spinach and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat and let the soup rest for 10 minutes.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Serving Tips
- Crusty Bread: Pair the soup with a warm, crusty baguette or Italian bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
- Side Salad: Serve alongside a fresh mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette for a revitalizing contrast.
- Garlic Breadsticks: Complement the soup with garlic breadsticks for a savory, aromatic addition.
- Grilled Vegetables: Add a serving of grilled seasonal vegetables for extra nutrition and a smoky flavor.
- Roasted Potatoes: Include roasted baby potatoes seasoned with herbs as a hearty side.
Storage
To store Italian Chicken Soup, let it cool completely.
Then, transfer it to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Alternatively, freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Freezing
To freeze Italian Chicken Soup, allow it to cool completely.
Store in airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving space for expansion.
Label with the date, and freeze for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat Italian Chicken Soup, warm it gently over medium heat.
Stir occasionally. Avoid boiling to preserve the tender texture of the chicken and pasta.
Add extra broth if needed.
Final Thoughts
Italian Chicken Soup is a comforting and delicious dish that brings warmth and flavor to any meal.
This recipe is versatile, allowing for adjustments based on personal preferences or available ingredients.
Whether you prefer a thicker soup or a lighter broth, you can easily modify the consistency by adding more or less chicken broth.
Additionally, the choice of pasta can be varied to suit your taste, whether it’s classic small shapes or even a gluten-free option.
The key to a flavorful soup lies in the quality of the chicken broth and the tenderness of the chicken.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with additional herbs or vegetables to enhance the soup’s flavor profile.
Before serving, verify the soup has rested for the recommended 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Garnish each bowl with fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a delightful finish.
Enjoy this Italian Chicken Soup as a main course or as a hearty appetizer for any occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta in the Soup?
Absolutely, you can substitute with any pasta type. Opt for fusilli, orzo, or ditalini to maintain texture integrity. Cook pasta al dente directly in the broth for flavor absorption, ensuring it doesn’t overcook and become mushy.
How Can I Make the Soup Spicier?
To spice up the soup, incorporate crushed red pepper flakes or finely chopped fresh chili peppers during the sautéing stage. For a deeper heat, add a dash of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce before serving.
Is It Possible to Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Absolutely, you can transform it into a vegetarian version. Substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and replace shredded chicken with protein-rich options like chickpeas or tofu. Make certain you maintain a balance of flavors and textures.
What Wine Pairs Well With Italian Chicken Soup?
You should pair a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay or a light-bodied Pinot Grigio with your Italian chicken soup. These wines complement the soup’s savory notes, enhancing the herbaceous flavors and balancing the richness of the broth.
Can I Substitute Fresh Herbs for Dried Ones?
You can substitute fresh herbs for dried ones in a 3:1 ratio. Fresh herbs impart a more vibrant flavor profile, enhancing your dish’s aroma. Chop them finely to release essential oils, ensuring balanced seasoning throughout the soup.
Italian Chicken Soup
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Ladle
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 clove garlic minced
- 2 carrot sliced
- 2 celery stalk sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 cup chicken broth
- 2 cup cooked chicken shredded
- 1 cup pasta small shapes
- 1 cup spinach chopped
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in sliced carrots and celery, cooking until they begin to soften.
- Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and add shredded chicken to the pot.
- Add pasta and cook until pasta is al dente.
- Stir in chopped spinach and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat and let the soup rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
