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Chicken Pastina Soup

Chicken Pastina Soup
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Chicken Pastina Soup is a comforting, quick, and easy-to-make dish featuring tender shredded chicken and tiny pastina pasta in a rich, flavorful chicken broth with classic vegetables and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is kid-friendly, light yet satisfying, and easily adaptable with variations to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2 chicken breasts or thighs (about 1 pound), tender and skinless

Pasta

  • 1 cup pastina pasta (tiny star-shaped noodles)

Broth & Liquids

  • 6 cups chicken broth or stock (preferably homemade or low sodium)

Vegetables

  • 1 large carrot, diced finely
  • 2 celery stalks, diced finely
  • 1 medium onion, diced finely
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Fat & Seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Herbs & Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Base: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute to develop flavor.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Add chicken breasts or thighs to the pot and pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  3. Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the broth and shred it finely using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot to absorb more of the savory broth.
  4. Add Pastina: Stir in 1 cup of pastina pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 3-5 minutes, until al dente. Be careful not to overcook, ensuring the pastina remains tender but holds its shape.
  5. Season and Serve: Season the soup with salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped herbs like parsley or thyme. Stir well and serve hot, optionally garnished with extra fresh herbs, grated Parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Notes

  • Prep vegetables finely for even cooking and seamless blending into the broth.
  • Use homemade chicken broth for the most flavorful results, but store-bought broth works well too.
  • Add pastina pasta last to ensure it absorbs the broth and doesn’t become mushy.
  • Monitor cooking time for pasta carefully; pastina cooks quickly and can become mushy if overdone.
  • Fresh herbs added at the end brighten the flavor and add freshness to the soup.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Pastina Soup, comfort soup, easy chicken soup, kid-friendly soup, quick soup recipe, gluten-free soup option

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/chicken-pastina-soup/