Cozy Chicken Pastina Soup Recipe: Homemade Comfort in a Bowl

Comfort finds new meaning in this creamy chicken pastina soup that wraps you in warmth like a gentle embrace.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen dance through each spoonful of delicate pasta and tender chicken.

Soft, pillowy pastina noodles swim alongside delicate chicken pieces in a rich, velvety broth.

Childhood nostalgia meets culinary simplicity in this soul-soothing recipe that requires minimal ingredients and maximum love.

Mediterranean traditions blend with home-style cooking to create a nourishing meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Hearty yet light, this soup promises to restore and delight you with its comforting flavors.

Chicken Pastina Soup: Warm Hugs in a Bowl

• Quick Family Comfort: Whip up this soul-warming soup in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when everyone craves a delicious, hassle-free meal.
• Nutrition-Packed Goodness: Loaded with protein from chicken, vitamins from fresh vegetables, and hearty pastina, this soup delivers a balanced, wholesome dinner that supports family health.
• Kid-Friendly Favorite: Soft pastina and tender shredded chicken make this soup super approachable for children, with mild flavors that even picky eaters will enjoy without fuss.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using simple, accessible ingredients like bone broth, fresh vegetables, and pastina, this recipe requires minimal prep work and creates maximum flavor with little effort.

What Goes Into Easy Chicken Pastina Soup

• Chicken: Tender protein that forms the hearty base of the soup, choose boneless skinless chicken for easy shredding.

• Chicken Bone Broth: Rich and flavorful base that provides deep chicken flavor, low-sodium version recommended for better salt control.
• Water: Helps adjust soup consistency and volume.

• Carrots, Celery: Fresh vegetables that add sweetness and texture, choose crisp and bright colored produce.
• Garlic: Provides sharp, aromatic flavor, fresh garlic cloves preferred over pre-minced.

• Pastina: Tiny pasta that creates comforting texture, small star-shaped pasta works best.

• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps coat shredded chicken, extra virgin provides best flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and fresh taste, flat-leaf parsley recommended.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall soup flavor, use kosher or sea salt for best results.

How to Make Easy Chicken Pastina Soup

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Vegetables

Wash and slice carrots and celery into delicate pieces.

Gently grate fresh garlic to release its intense flavor.

Step 2: Poach Tender Chicken

Place chicken in a large stock pot.

Pour in chicken bone broth and water, ensuring the chicken is completely submerged.

Bring the liquid to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 3: Cook and Shred Chicken

Boil chicken for 15-20 minutes until perfectly cooked through.

Carefully remove chicken from the broth and shred into bite-sized pieces.

Drizzle with a touch of olive oil to keep the meat moist and flavorful.

Step 4: Build Soup Base

• Pastina pasta
• Minced garlic
• Chopped vegetables

Cook for 10 minutes, gradually incorporating additional chicken bone broth to maintain a luscious consistency.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken with Soup

Return shredded chicken to the pot.

Simmer for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to warm through completely.

Step 6: Final Flourish

Sprinkle in fresh, finely chopped parsley.

Season with salt and pepper to elevate the soup’s taste.

Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately.

Pastina Soup Tips You’ll Want To Know

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quicker cooking and easier shredding, ensuring tender and lean protein in your soup.
• Enhance the soup's depth by using homemade chicken bone broth or a high-quality store-bought version with minimal additives for richer taste.
• Swap or add vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or peas to increase nutritional value and create variety in your soup's texture and flavor profile.
• Adjust liquid ratio by adding more broth or water if you prefer a thinner soup, or reduce liquid for a heartier, more concentrated dish.
• Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, or freeze for later enjoyment, making it a convenient make-ahead meal option.

Best Way to Save Chicken Pastina Soup

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed soup stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Leave some space at the top for expansion.
• Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming hot throughout.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Adjust consistency with extra broth if needed.

Warm Complements For Soup

• Pair with Crusty Garlic Bread: Enhance the soup's comforting flavors with a slice of warm, crispy garlic bread that soaks up the delicious broth perfectly.
• Complement with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: The wine's light, zesty notes will cut through the soup's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty chicken and vegetables.
• Match with Parmesan Cheese Sprinkle: Grate fresh Parmesan over the soup to add a salty, nutty dimension that elevates the overall taste and provides a creamy texture.
• Serve with Simple Green Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, lemon vinaigrette, and a few shaved almonds to balance the soup's warmth and add a fresh crunch.

Chicken Pastina Soup Alternatives

• Gluten-Free Pastina Swap: Replace traditional pastina with gluten-free rice pasta or quinoa shells for celiac-friendly soup.
• Low-Carb Veggie Alternative: Substitute pastina with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version.
• Dairy-Free Protein Boost: Use turkey instead of chicken and add coconut milk for extra creaminess without dairy ingredients.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace chicken with firm tofu or white beans, swap bone broth for vegetable stock, and add nutritional yeast for depth of flavor.

FAQs

• What is pastina and where can I find it?

Pastina is a tiny star-shaped pasta commonly used in soups. You can find it in most grocery stores in the pasta aisle, typically near other small pasta varieties like orzo, or in the Italian section.

• Can I use other types of chicken for this soup?

Yes, you can use different chicken cuts like chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Bone-in chicken works best for creating a richer broth, but boneless chicken will also work well in this recipe.

• Is chicken bone broth necessary, or can I substitute it?

Chicken bone broth adds deeper flavor, but you can substitute with regular chicken stock or broth. If using regular stock, you might want to add a bit more seasoning to enhance the overall taste of the soup.

• How can I make this soup more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or zucchini. You can also increase protein by adding a beaten egg at the end of cooking or stirring in some grated parmesan cheese for extra nutrients.

Easy Chicken Pastina Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets simplicity in this hearty chicken pastina soup, a classic Italian-American remedy that warms souls and soothes hunger. Delicate pasta pearls dance alongside tender chicken in a rich, nurturing broth you’ll want to savor spoonful by spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 lb chicken (breast or thighs)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 64 fluid ounces (1.9 liters) chicken bone broth, divided
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 pound (226 grams) pastina (acini di pepe or other short pasta)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by finely dicing carrots and celery, then mince the garlic to release its robust flavor.
2. Place whole chicken in a spacious stockpot, completely submerging it with chicken bone broth and additional water, then bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
3. Maintain a vigorous boil for 15-20 minutes until the chicken reaches perfect tenderness, then carefully extract and shred the meat, lightly coating with olive oil to preserve moisture.
4. Introduce pastina, garlic, and chopped vegetables into the simmering broth, allowing them to cook and meld together while gradually incorporating the remaining chicken bone broth to maintain ideal soup consistency.
5. Gently reintroduce the shredded chicken into the pot, letting it warm through and absorb the surrounding flavors for a couple of minutes.
6. Elevate the soup’s profile by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley, then season with salt and pepper to create a perfectly balanced taste profile.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a harmonious blend of tender chicken, delicate pastina, and vibrant vegetables.

Notes

• Customize the soup’s thickness by adjusting bone broth and water quantities for your preferred consistency.
• Swap pastina with gluten-free pasta alternatives like quinoa or rice pasta for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach or kale during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
• Enhance protein content by incorporating a beaten egg stirred into the soup just before serving for a creamy, enriched texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg