Description
Italian Penicillin Soup is a comforting, hearty chicken soup infused with aromatic herbs, fresh vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and pasta, all simmered in a savory tomato and chicken broth base. Perfect for warming your soul on chilly days or soothing cold symptoms, this recipe blends traditional Italian-American flavors with wholesome ingredients for a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Broth and Add-ins
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup cooked small pasta (like ditalini or orzo)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Stir in the dried oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another minute to release their flavors.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and the canned diced tomatoes with their juice. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, until the carrots and celery are tender.
- Add Chicken and Pasta: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken and cooked small pasta. Simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Finish with Cheese and Lemon: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir until the cheese has melted completely into the broth.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or basil leaves.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end of cooking.
- Substitute rotisserie chicken for a quicker prep time.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this soup gluten-free if needed.
- The soup freezes well without the pasta; add fresh cooked pasta when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
