Description
Hearty Italian chicken pastina soup brings comfort from Sicily’s kitchens with tender chicken and tiny pasta pearls. Warm broth and simple ingredients create a soul-satisfying meal you will savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2.5–3 cups rotisserie chicken
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion, diced small
- 4 stalks celery, diced small
- 1 pound carrots, diced small
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, diced small
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh rosemary leaves
- Fresh thyme leaves
Cooking Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/3 cup uncooked pastina
- 1 parmesan rind (optional)
- Grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Warm olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté diced onion, shallot, celery, and bell pepper for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Mince garlic and add to the vegetable mixture, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to release aromatic flavors.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, then add sliced carrots, parmesan rind, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until vegetables become tender.
- Carefully remove 2 cups of cooked vegetables and set aside. Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining soup until smooth and creamy.
- Gently return the reserved vegetables to the pot, maintaining their texture and integrity.
- Stir in pastina pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically 6-8 minutes, until al dente.
- Incorporate shredded chicken into the soup, cover, and let rest for 15-20 minutes to meld flavors and warm the chicken thoroughly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Ladle soup into serving bowls, garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Notes
- Veggie Prep Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Flavor Boost Use homemade chicken broth for deeper, richer flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Pasta Perfection Cook pastina separately to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal pasta texture, adding it just before serving.
- Dietary Modifications Swap chicken with tofu or white beans for vegetarian version, and use gluten-free pastina for celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg