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Classic Italian Penicillin Soup with Chicken and Pastina

A close-up of a steaming white bowl filled with rich penicillin soup, featuring shredded chicken, rice, carrots, and parsley.
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Make this comforting Italian-style chicken soup, often called Penicillin Soup, perfect for cold days or when you feel unwell. It features tender chicken, vegetables, and small pastina pasta in a bright, herbaceous broth.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup pastina (or other small pasta like orzo)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Add the oregano, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Add the cut chicken pieces to the simmering broth. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  6. Remove the chicken pieces and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
  7. Stir in the pastina. Cook according to the pasta package directions, usually 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
  8. Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
  9. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute half of the water with good quality chicken stock.
  • If you prefer, use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken to speed up the cooking time.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables for a slight warmth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/penicillin-soup-recipe-italian-chicken-pastina/