Description
Italian Penicillin Soup is a hearty and comforting chicken soup enriched with fragrant herbs, tender vegetables, and small pasta. This flavorful, nutritious soup is perfect as a cold remedy or a cozy meal, featuring kale or spinach and finished with Parmesan cheese and a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or orzo)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Heat Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5–7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Stir in the dried oregano and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute to release their flavors into the vegetables.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Add Chicken, Tomatoes, and Pasta: Add the cooked shredded chicken, diced tomatoes with their juice, and small pasta to the pot. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Wilt the Greens: Stir in the chopped kale or spinach and let it wilt into the soup for 2–3 minutes, incorporating more color and nutrients.
- Season and Finish: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove the pot from heat, then stir in fresh chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and the juice of half a lemon for a fresh, bright finish.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Optionally garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and crusty bread for a complete comforting meal.
Notes
- Substitute leftover turkey for the chicken to change up the protein.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit the chicken.
- Add a Parmesan rind to the broth while simmering to impart extra flavor, then remove before serving.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
- Omit Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative for a dairy-free adaptation.
