Description
Indulge in a comforting bowl of Creamy Chicken Soup with Pasta and Spinach. Discover a delicious twist on a classic recipe now!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 medium carrots, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 celery stalks, diced (about ¾ cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces small pasta (such as shells, farfalle, or orecchiette)
- 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (about 4 ounces)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Soup Base Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, seasoning with ½ teaspoon salt to help vegetables release their moisture. Saute for 5-7 minutes until vegetables have softened. Add minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent garlic from burning.
- Step 2: Build Flavor and Add Chicken Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. This will help thicken your **Creamy Chicken Soup with Pasta and Spinach** without creating lumps. Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring, then add whole chicken breasts. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover partially and cook for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Step 3: Shred Chicken and Add Pasta Remove chicken breasts to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, bring the soup back to a boil and add pasta. Cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Return shredded chicken to the pot during the last 5 minutes of pasta cooking time.
- Step 4: Finish with Fresh Elements Once pasta is tender, reduce heat to low and stir in chopped spinach, allowing it to wilt for 1-2 minutes. Add tempered cream, lemon juice, and chopped parsley, stirring to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Allow soup to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes for flavors to meld, being careful not to boil after adding cream. Serve your **Creamy Chicken Soup with Pasta and Spinach** hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg