Description
A heartwarming Italian soup featuring chicken, vegetables, and small pasta, perfect for comforting chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced, about 1 cup)
- 3 medium carrots (sliced into rounds)
- 3 stalks celery (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 whole chicken breast (bone-in, skin-on, about 1 pound)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini, orzo, or shells)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- Parmigiano-Reggiano (freshly grated, optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Crusty Italian bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add the extra virgin olive oil.
- Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté for about 5–7 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the whole chicken breast, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Cover partially and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for 25–30 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pot, let it cool, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Add small pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8–10 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves, stir in lemon juice and parsley before serving.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and extra virgin olive oil if desired, and serve with crusty Italian bread.
Notes
Consider slightly undercooking the pasta if storing leftovers to prevent mushiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: soup, Italian, comfort food, chicken, vegetables, pasta
