Nourishing Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe: Soul-Warming Comfort

When cold winds sweep through winter kitchens, this comforting hearty Italian penicillin soup warms every soul with its rich, healing broth.

Generations of Italian grandmothers have perfected this miraculous recipe passed down through decades of love and care.

Tender chicken mingles with delicate vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors that soothes and nourishes.

Aromatic herbs dance through the steaming pot, promising relief from seasonal sniffles and chills.

Each spoonful brings memories of home-cooked meals and tender nurturing.

Packed with nutrients and love, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a powerful wellness elixir.

You’ll want to ladle this golden broth into your favorite bowl and savor every comforting bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes Into Italian Penicillin Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables with a silky, luxurious texture.
• Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: Create a classic Italian soffritto base, delivering deep, layered flavor and nutritional complexity.

• Salt: Enhances and balances overall taste profile, bringing out natural vegetable sweetness.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and earthy undertones to the soup.
• Oregano: Introduces traditional Mediterranean herbal notes with bright, slightly peppery flavor.
• Thyme: Contributes delicate, woodsy essence that complements other ingredients beautifully.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Brings gentle, warming spiciness and vibrant color to the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Provides rich, comforting liquid base with healing, nourishing qualities.
• Chicken: Adds lean protein, creating substantial and satisfying meal with classic comfort food appeal.

Tools That Help You Simmer Italian Penicillin Soup Right

• Large pot: Essential for simmering and cooking the entire soup.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for dicing onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of salt, herbs, and spices.

How to Make Soothing Italian Penicillin Soup

• Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, creating a welcoming environment for your ingredients.

• Create a Flavor Foundation

Toss in diced onions, minced garlic, chopped carrots, and sliced celery. Let them dance and soften together for about 5 minutes, releasing their aromatic magic.

• Sprinkle Magic Seasonings

Introduce a symphony of flavors by stirring in salt, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and a whisper of red pepper flakes. Watch as these spices transform your simple vegetables into something extraordinary.

• Pour Liquid Life

Add chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, allowing the ingredients to mingle and share their delicious stories.

• Simmer and Comfort

Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes, giving the vegetables time to become tender and the flavors to intertwine like old friends.

• Final Touch of Freshness

Stir in fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the soup’s soul, then serve hot in deep bowls that invite warmth and healing.

Healing Add-Ins for Your Italian Soup Bowl

• Broth Boost: Swap chicken stock with homemade bone broth for extra nutrients and deeper flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with zucchini noodles to make the soup celiac-friendly.
• Veggie Power-Up: Add extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or diced bell peppers for more nutritional value and color.
• Protein Variations: Replace chicken with white beans, tofu, or shredded turkey for different protein alternatives that still keep the comforting essence of the soup.
• Spice Control: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance – use less for mild flavor or more for a spicier kick.

How to Serve Italian Penicillin Soup on Chilly Days

• Rustic Bread Pairing: Slice a crusty Italian bread and toast it lightly. Rub a garlic clove over the warm surface for an extra flavor kick. Serve alongside the soup for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth.
• Comfort Bowl Presentation: Ladle the steaming soup into deep ceramic bowls. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a bright green contrast and added freshness. Offer a small side of grated parmesan cheese for guests to customize their serving.
• Herbal Garnish Boost: Finish the soup with a handful of fresh basil leaves torn right before serving. Add a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the aromatic profile. The herbs will elevate the soup's flavor and create a beautiful visual appeal.
• Wellness Companion: Pair this healing soup with a light side salad dressed in a lemony vinaigrette. The citrusy notes will complement the soup's rich, comforting qualities. Perfect for cold days or when feeling under the weather.

Save and Warm Up Italian Penicillin Soup with Care

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing Wisdom: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at top for expansion. Keeps perfectly for up to 3 months when sealed properly.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if needed to restore original consistency and prevent scorching.
• Smart Portioning: Divide soup into individual serving sizes before refrigerating. This allows easy grab-and-go meals and prevents repeated reheating that can compromise taste and texture.

Hearty Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Nonna’s hearty Italian penicillin soup promises comfort and healing in every spoonful. Rich chicken broth, tender vegetables, and delicate pasta combine for a soul-warming experience you’ll crave when feeling under the weather.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or boneless chicken breast)
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ½ cup small pasta (orzo, ditalini, or pastina)
• 1 14.5 oz (411 g) can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium flame until it glistens with culinary promise.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their aromatic essence, creating a vibrant flavor base for the soup.
3. Seasoning Symphony: Infuse the vegetables with salt, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes, stirring to distribute the harmonious blend of spices that will elevate the soup’s depth.
4. Liquid Essence: Pour chicken broth into the pot, allowing the golden liquid to merge with the seasoned vegetables and create a robust, healing foundation.
5. Protein Integration: Fold shredded chicken into the simmering broth, ensuring the meat absorbs the herb-infused liquid and becomes tender and flavorful.
6. Simmering Transformation: Cover and let the soup gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to dance together and develop a rich, comforting profile.
7. Serving Finale: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a delicate dusting of grated parmesan to complete this Italian healing elixir.

Notes

• Optimize Vegetable Softening: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness without mushy textures.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast herbs briefly in hot oil before adding liquid to release their essential oils and amplify aromatic complexity.
• Control Chicken Texture: Shred chicken gently and avoid overcooking to maintain moisture and prevent stringy, dry meat.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute chicken broth with vegetable stock for vegetarian version or use gluten-free ingredients for sensitive diets.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg