Chicken Pastina Soup
Chicken Pastina Soup is a comforting and nourishing dish featuring tender chicken, delicate pastina pasta, and a flavorful broth. Perfect for chilly days or when you need a soothing meal, this quick and easy soup combines wholesome ingredients to create a warm, satisfying bowl that’s gentle on the stomach and loved by the whole family.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Pasta
Vegetables
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Broth
- 6 cups chicken broth (preferably homemade or quality store-bought)
Herbs & Seasoning
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the vegetables and chicken: Finely dice the onion, carrot, and celery to ensure even cooking. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or leave whole to shred after cooking, based on your preference.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat a splash of oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent to build a flavorful base.
- Cook chicken and vegetables: Add the chicken pieces along with the diced carrots and celery. Stir occasionally until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the carrots begin to soften.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook until the flavors meld and the chicken is fully tender.
- Incorporate pastina pasta: Stir in the pastina pasta and cook for just a few minutes until tender but not mushy, as pastina cooks very quickly.
- Finish with fresh herbs and season: Remove the pot from heat and stir in fresh parsley or thyme. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving hot.
Notes
- Use homemade chicken broth if possible for deeper flavor and richness.
- Do not overcook pastina to avoid a mushy texture; add it near the end of cooking.
- Shred chicken after cooking for an appealing texture with tender strands.
- Avoid using heavy creams to keep the soup light and comforting.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding more or less broth based on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken soup, pastina soup, comforting soup, easy chicken soup, gluten-free soup, quick soup recipe, family-friendly soup, nourishing soup