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Authentic Italian Chicken & Pastina Soup (The Ultimate Comfort ‘Penicillin’ Recipe)

A close-up view of a bowl of Italian penicillin soup featuring shredded chicken, small pasta pearls, carrots, and fresh parsley.
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Make this soothing Italian Penicillin Soup when you need comfort or feel under the weather. This recipe uses tender chicken, bright lemon, and small pastina pasta in a flavorful broth, making it a perfect restorative meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 to 1.25 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
  • 1 to 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup pastina pasta
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth. Add the bay leaves and Italian seasoning or thyme. Bring the broth to a gentle boil.
  4. Add the diced chicken to the pot. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Stir in the pastina pasta. Cook according to package directions, usually about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Remove the bay leaves from the pot. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
  7. Season the soup with salt and pepper to your taste.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • If you want a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken broth with high-quality vegetable broth and omit the chicken. Add 1 cup of white beans or chopped mushrooms for substance.
  • This soup freezes well. Cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.
  • For extra brightness, add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice to each bowl just before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/italian-penicillin-soup-recipe/