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Ultimate Healing Italian Penicillin Soup with Chicken and Pastina

A steaming white bowl filled with rich, golden italian penicillin soup, topped generously with fresh chopped parsley.
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A deeply soothing, flavorful Italian soup featuring tender chicken, vegetables, and small pasta, perfect for comfort when you feel unwell.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup small pasta (pastina or ditalini)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, divided
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Add the oregano, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Carefully transfer about 2 cups of the soup solids and liquid to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Return the pureed mixture to the pot. This step thickens the soup naturally.
  6. Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and the small pasta. Increase the heat to medium-low and cook until the pasta is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and half of the fresh parsley.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
  9. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the remaining fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, use high-quality homemade chicken broth.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken, adding 1 cup of white beans during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
  • You can add a swirl of extra virgin olive oil just before serving for richness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/italian-penicillin-soup-recipe/