Comforting Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

This hearty rustic Italian chicken noodle soup warms the soul on chilly evenings.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic comfort dish.

Tender chicken, soft noodles, and aromatic herbs dance together in a rich, savory broth.

Each spoonful tells a story of traditional Italian kitchens and simple, wholesome ingredients.

The soup simmers with love, blending robust flavors that speak to pure, uncomplicated cooking.

You’ll find this recipe captures the essence of home-style Italian cuisine.

Gather around the table and let this nourishing soup bring comfort and joy to your meal.

Everything You’ll Need For Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup

• Onion: Builds deep foundational flavor and adds sweet undertones to the soup's profile.
• Carrots: Provides natural sweetness and vibrant color to enhance visual appeal.
• Celery: Contributes subtle earthy notes and traditional soup complexity.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent essence that elevates entire dish's taste.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces classic Italian herbal signature with warm, slightly bitter undertones.
• Dried Thyme: Offers delicate, slightly minty flavor characteristic of Mediterranean cuisine.

• Chicken Broth: Creates rich, savory liquid base that infuses soup with comforting warmth.
• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Delivers tender protein that absorbs surrounding seasonings perfectly.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and subtle sweetness to balance soup's richness.

• Pasta: Provides hearty texture and makes soup more substantial and satisfying.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, salty complexity and creamy melting quality.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings fresh, green brightness and aromatic final touch.
• Black Pepper: Offers gentle heat and enhances overall seasoning.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies all other flavor profiles.
• Lemon Juice: Provides zesty, fresh counterpoint to rich soup elements.
• Olive Oil: Ensures smooth sautéing and adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Crusty Italian Bread: Serves as perfect accompaniment for soaking and enjoying soup.

Kitchen Tools For Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and cooking the entire soup.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for dicing onions, carrots, celery, and mincing garlic.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir and mix ingredients while cooking.
• Colander: Used to drain cooked pasta.
• Two Forks: Ideal for shredding cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Helps serve the soup into individual bowls.
• Cheese Grater: Needed for grating fresh Parmesan cheese.

Steps To Make Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup

• Fire Up the Flavor Base

Drizzle olive oil into a big pot and toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle in garlic, oregano, and thyme, stirring until the kitchen smells amazing.

• Build the Soup Foundation

Pour in chicken broth and add whole chicken pieces. Bring everything to a rolling boil, then dial down the heat and let it simmer gently. The chicken will become tender and infuse the liquid with rich flavor.

• Transform the Chicken

Carefully pull out the chicken and shred it into delectable bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return the meat back to the bubbling pot.

• Create the Final Magic

Slip in cooked pasta and stir in a generous handful of Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper until the flavors sing. A squeeze of lemon will brighten the entire dish.

• Serve with Love

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls. Shower with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve alongside crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of deliciousness.

Helpful Tips For Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup

• Extra Creamy Chicken Magic: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese for a luxurious, velvety texture that transforms the soup's richness.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Cook the pasta separately and store it apart from the soup to prevent soggy noodles. Combine just before serving to maintain perfect pasta texture.
• Low-Carb Veggie Swap: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, gluten-free alternative that keeps the Italian flavor profile intact.
• Herb Garden Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or oregano instead of dried versions to elevate the soup's aromatic depth and create a more vibrant taste experience.
• Protein Power-Up: Substitute chicken with ground turkey, white fish, or plant-based protein crumbles for diverse dietary needs while maintaining the soup's comforting Italian-inspired essence.

How To Serve Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup

• Hearty Bread Companion: Slice up a rustic ciabatta or crusty sourdough bread to dip into the rich, aromatic soup. The bread soaks up the flavorful broth, adding a delightful texture and making the meal more satisfying.
• Fresh Herb Explosion: Sprinkle extra chopped fresh herbs like basil or oregano on top just before serving. These vibrant green herbs will add a burst of freshness and elevate the soup's Italian-inspired flavor profile.
• Cheesy Crouton Topping: Create homemade garlic Parmesan croutons by toasting bread cubes with olive oil, garlic, and grated Parmesan. Scatter these crunchy gems over the soup for an irresistible textural contrast and extra flavor punch.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Complement the soup with a light white wine like Pinot Grigio or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's acidity will beautifully balance the soup's rich and comforting elements, creating a restaurant-worthy dining experience.

Storage Guide For Italian Style Chicken Noodle Soup

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Cool soup completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth. Transfer to airtight containers with tight-sealing lids, keeping soup fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Champion: Pack soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Frozen soup maintains excellent quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Pasta Protection Tip: Store pasta separately from soup to prevent noodles from becoming mushy. Add fresh noodles when reheating for best texture and flavor integrity.
• Reheating Magic: Warm soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of fresh chicken broth if soup appears too thick. Stir gently to maintain chicken and vegetable structure, ensuring even heating without breaking down ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 7

Rustic Italian Chicken Noodle Soup

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian-style chicken noodle soup delivers comfort and warmth with its robust Mediterranean flavors. Classic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken broth
• 8 oz (226 g) small pasta (such as ditalini or small shells)
• 1 cup (150 g) diced onion
• 1 cup (150 g) diced carrots
• 1 cup (150 g) diced celery
• 1 (14.5-oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated parmesan cheese
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Flavor Foundation: In a large pot, sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until translucent. Introduce minced garlic, dried oregano, and thyme, allowing their aromatic essence to meld for one minute.
2. Liquid Base and Chicken Preparation: Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the vegetable mixture. Submerge chicken pieces, bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook until chicken is thoroughly tender, approximately 20 minutes.
3. Pasta and Chicken Integration: Simultaneously cook pasta to al dente perfection in a separate pot. Once chicken is cooked, remove and shred using two forks. Drain pasta and return to its pot. Reintroduce shredded chicken into the simmering soup, creating a harmonious blend.
4. Flavor Refinement: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor profile. Combine pasta with the soup, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
5. Culinary Presentation: Ladle the aromatic soup into serving bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve alongside crusty Italian bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Manage Chicken Cooking: Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee food safety and prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Pasta Texture Control: Cook pasta separately and add just before serving to maintain perfect al dente texture and prevent soggy noodles from absorbing excess broth.
• Flavor Layering Technique: Sauté vegetables slowly to develop deep, rich flavors and release natural sugars, creating a more complex and robust soup base.
• Dietary Adaptation Strategy: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives or zucchini noodles for low-carb options, and use low-sodium broth for heart-healthy modifications.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg