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Healing Italian Chicken and Pastina Soup (Minestra di Pollo)

Close-up of a white bowl filled with golden italien penicillin soup, featuring shredded chicken and fresh parsley garnish.
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This comforting Italian soup, often sought after for its restorative qualities, combines a rich homemade broth with tender chicken and tiny pasta shapes. It is a simple, nourishing meal perfect for recovery or cold evenings.

Ingredients

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  • 8 cups homemade chicken broth (or high-quality store-bought broth)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup pastina pasta (or small soup noodles)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
  3. Add the shredded cooked chicken and the pastina pasta to the simmering broth. Cook according to the pasta package directions, usually about 6 to 8 minutes, until the pastina is al dente.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh parsley and the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Season generously with salt and pepper to your taste.
  5. Ladle the soup into bowls. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use a high-quality, low-sodium chicken broth. Making your own best homemade broth recipe will improve this soup significantly.
  • If you do not have pastina, use small soup macaroni or orzo pasta instead.
  • This soup freezes well; cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to three months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheffinity.com/italien-penicillin-soup-recipe/