Description
A warm and comforting soup featuring chicken, pasta, bright lemon, and fresh herbs that brings family together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 medium carrots, sliced into rounds
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 whole chicken breast, bone-in, skin-on (about 1 pound)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini, orzo, or shells)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Crusty Italian bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and prepare them for cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook until translucent.
- Add carrots and celery, cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and add chicken breast, bay leaves, oregano, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat.
- Simmer chicken for 20 to 30 minutes until cooked through. Skim any foam from the surface.
- Remove chicken, discard bay leaves, and shred it into bite-sized pieces.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente, stirring to prevent sticking.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Stir in lemon juice and parsley before serving.
- Serve hot with grated cheese and crusty bread.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and add white beans for protein. You can also serve with additional toppings like grated cheese, parsley, and lemon wedges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg