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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by finely dicing carrots and celery, then mince the garlic to release its robust flavor.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Gently reintroduce the shredded chicken into the pot, letting it warm through and absorb the surrounding flavors for a couple of minutes.
- Elevate the soup’s profile by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley, then season with salt and pepper to create a perfectly balanced taste profile.
- 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