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
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium flame until it glistens with culinary promise.
- Vegetable Foundation: Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their aromatic essence, creating a vibrant flavor base for the soup.
- 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.
- Liquid Essence: Pour chicken broth into the pot, allowing the golden liquid to merge with the seasoned vegetables and create a robust, healing foundation.
- Protein Integration: Fold shredded chicken into the simmering broth, ensuring the meat absorbs the herb-infused liquid and becomes tender and flavorful.
- 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.
- 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