Description
Italian Penicillin Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish with tender chicken, vegetables, and pasta, simmered in a savory broth infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of lemon. It’s the perfect remedy for cold days or when you need a comforting, soul-warming meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb bone-in, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped (optional)
- 6 cups chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 1/2 cups small pasta (like elbow macaroni, orzo, or ditalini)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken breasts or thighs and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, until browned. Remove chicken and set aside to cool.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped onion, carrots, celery, and zucchini (if using). Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until vegetables soften and onion becomes translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the Broth and Seasonings: Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir in oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Shred the Chicken: Shred the chicken with two forks and add back to the pot along with lemon juice and zest. Stir to combine.
- Cook the Pasta: Add pasta to the soup and cook for 8-10 minutes, until pasta is tender. If soup thickens, add more broth or water to achieve desired consistency.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste soup and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice. The soup should have a fresh, zesty flavor from the lemon with savory notes from the herbs.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.
Notes
- Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with chickpeas or white beans and use vegetable broth.
- Spicy Version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup for heat.
- Extra Veggies: Add spinach, kale, or bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor.
- Herb Variations: Add fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil for fresh herbaceous flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
