Italian Chicken Pastina Soup (Italian Penicillin Soup)
Recipes Chicken Italian Main Dish Quick and Easy Soups and stews
Description
You don't have to be feeling ill or be an Italian to enjoy this comforting chicken and pasta soup. It's delicious and satisfying in any weather but especially in the colder months.
Ingredients
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 T. butter
1 large onion, diced small
1 large shallot, finely chopped
4 stalks celery, diced small
1 large yellow bell pepper, diced small
4 medium cloves garlic, minced
8 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 lb. carrots, diced small
1 Parmesan cheese rind, optional
1 1/2 t. kosher salt, or to taste
1/3 c. uncooked pastina, orzo or Acini de pepe, doubled if lots of pasta is desired
2 1/2 -3 c. rotisserie or leftover chicken
grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
finely chopped fresh rosemary and/or fresh thyme leaves, for serving
freshly ground black pepper
Directions
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Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the oil, butter, onion, shallot, celery and bell pepper; stir. Cook 4-5 minutes or until the onions are translucent, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic; stir cook for 2 more minutes.
Add the broth, carrots, Parmesan cheese rind and salt. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce to a steady simmer; cook uncovered 20-25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Use a slotted spoon to remove 2 c. diced vegetables; set aside. Remove the Parmesan rind.
Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the broth/vegetable mixture in the pot until smooth. *If using a regular blender, let the mixture cool down a bit before blending; remove the center cap on the blender top, covering the opening with a clean kitchen towel or several thicknesses of paper towels to allow the heat to vent and prevent heat from building up.
Add the pasta; bring the mixture to a boil; reduce to a steady simmer. Cook, uncovered for the time directed on the pastina package. (Acini de pepe takes 9 minutes.)
Add the chicken and the reserved vegetables; stir. Cover; allow the soup to rest for 20 minutes.
Adjust the seasonings to taste, adding more salt, if needed.
Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, a bit of finely chopped fresh rosemary or fresh thyme leaves, and freshly ground black pepper.
10 servings.