Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup, where tender chicken, al dente pasta, and aromatic herbs dance together. Homemade warmth fills bowls with authentic Mediterranean flavors you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables:
- 1 cup (150 grams) diced onion
- 1 cup (150 grams) diced carrots
- 1 cup (150 grams) diced celery
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) small pasta (such as ditalini or small shells)
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Broth and Seasonings:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (14.5-ounce/411 grams) can diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Transform a large pot into a flavor foundation by gently sautéing diced onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until they become translucent and tender. Introduce minced garlic, dried oregano, and thyme, allowing their aromatic essence to permeate the vegetables for approximately one minute.
- Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the vegetable mixture, creating a robust liquid base. Nestle chicken pieces into the liquid and elevate the temperature until the mixture reaches a rolling boil, then reduce heat to allow a gentle simmer. Cook until chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender, approximately 20 minutes.
- Parallel to the soup’s simmering process, prepare pasta in a separate pot, following package guidelines to achieve perfect al dente texture. Drain pasta and set aside, preserving its ideal consistency.
- Extract chicken from the simmering broth and use two forks to meticulously shred the meat into delicate, bite-sized portions. Reintroduce the shredded chicken into the soup, ensuring even distribution.
- Integrate the prepared pasta into the soup, creating a harmonious blend of ingredients. Enhance the flavor profile by stirring in grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. For a vibrant twist, incorporate a splash of fresh lemon juice.
- Carefully ladle the aromatic soup into serving bowls, transforming each portion into a culinary masterpiece. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and an additional dusting of Parmesan cheese as a final flourish. Serve alongside crusty Italian bread for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Swap chicken with tofu or white beans for a vegetarian version that maintains the soup’s hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising the Italian-inspired taste.
- Enhance the soup’s depth by adding a splash of white wine during vegetable sautéing to bring out more complex, rich undertones.
- Prep vegetables in advance and store in the refrigerator to cut down on cooking time and make weeknight meal preparation faster and easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg