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Chicken Pastina Soup Recipe

4.4 from 91 reviews

This comforting Chicken Pastina Soup combines tender shredded chicken, delicate stelline pasta, and a flavorful vegetable broth enriched with onions, celery, and carrots. Simmered to perfection and finished with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley, this easy-to-make soup is perfect for a cozy meal any day.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauté Base

  • 2 tsp butter (or olive oil)
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 medium celery stalks, finely diced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and finely diced
  • ½ tsp salt

Soup

  • 1 bay leaf
  • 9 cups (approx. 2 liters) chicken broth / stock
  • 1 ½ cups pastina (stelline recommended)
  • 2 cups (300g) shredded cooked chicken

To Serve

  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Flat leaf parsley, finely diced
  • Salt and pepper, to season

Instructions

  1. Sauté the vegetables: Heat the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat until foaming. Add the finely diced onions, celery, and carrots. Cook the vegetables, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
  2. Add seasoning and stock: Season the softened vegetables with salt and pepper. Add the bay leaf and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer to develop the flavors.
  3. Cook pasta and chicken: Stir in the pastina pasta along with the shredded cooked chicken. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or according to the pasta package instructions, until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
  4. Finish and serve: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped flat leaf parsley. Accompany with a slice of homemade bread for a perfect meal.

Notes

  • Using homemade or high-quality store-bought chicken broth will enhance the soup’s flavor.
  • Leftover roasted or poached chicken works great for the shredded chicken component.
  • Pastina is a tiny star-shaped pasta; stelline is recommended but any small pasta can be substituted.
  • Keep an eye on the pasta while cooking to avoid overcooking and turning mushy.
  • This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: Chicken Pastina Soup, Easy Chicken Soup, Italian Chicken Soup, Comfort Food Soup, Stelline Pasta Soup