Description
Comfort meets spice in this creamy parmesan cajun chicken pasta soup, blending southern warmth with bold flavors. Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced bell pepper (any color)
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 8 ounces (8 oz) small pasta (ditalini, small shells, or elbow)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cayenne pepper or hot sauce (optional, for more heat)
- Optional garnishes: chopped parsley, sliced green onions, extra Parmesan
Instructions
- Initiate the chicken preparation by searing seasoned chicken in a generously heated pot with olive oil, ensuring a golden-brown exterior and complete internal cooking through medium-high heat.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its warmth and moisture.
- Utilize the same pot to melt butter, creating a fragrant base for aromatic vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and celery, sautéing until they become translucent and tender.
- Introduce minced garlic and fresh thyme, allowing their essences to bloom and intensify the flavor profile for approximately one minute.
- Cascade chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce into the vegetable mixture, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil.
- Incorporate uncooked pasta directly into the bubbling liquid, reducing heat to allow gentle simmering until the pasta reaches an al dente consistency.
- While pasta softens, methodically shred the previously cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, then reintegrate into the developing soup.
- Elevate the soup’s luxuriousness by stirring in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, creating a velvety texture through careful simmering.
- Enhance the flavor complexity with a splash of lemon juice, carefully adjusting seasonings including salt, pepper, and additional Cajun spices.
- Finalize the culinary creation by garnishing with fresh parsley, sliced green onions, or an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving in warm bowls.
Notes
- Customize Cajun heat by adjusting seasoning levels for mild or spicy preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy the soup’s robust flavors.
- Choose gluten-free pasta alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta to make the recipe suitable for diverse dietary needs.
- Allow the soup to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce overall kitchen time, making this recipe quick and convenient for busy home cooks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg