Italian chicken soup
Impress your guests with our Italian chicken soup. This wholesome dish combines tender chicken, smoky pork, and a colourful mix of vegetables. Hearty ingredients fill up this warm soup, making it perfect to enjoy with the whole family. Grab your spoons and gather around the dinner table for a great Italian meal.
Ingredients
|
Yellow onions
|
2 |
|---|---|
|
Carrots
|
2 |
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Celeriac
|
100 g |
|
Chicken breast fillets
|
2 |
|
Smoked pork belly
|
50 g |
|
Butter
|
|
|
Chicken broth
|
800 ml |
|
Cooking cream
|
200 ml |
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Dried red lentils
|
150 ml |
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Dried basil
|
2 tsp |
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Black pepper
|
½ tsp |
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Fresh parsley, chopped
|
50 ml |
|
Salt (optional)
|
½ tsp |
Instructions
Choose the right smoked pork
For this recipe, opt for mildly smoked pork like pancetta or bacon to add a subtle smoky aroma without overpowering the other flavours. Diced pancetta or bacon with a bit of fat works best, adding richness as it cooks and gives the broth a wonderful savoury note.
Thicken the soup
To thicken Italian chicken soup, make a slurry by mixing a tablespoon of flour with 2–3 tablespoons of the soup until smooth. Stir this into the soup and simmer to thicken. You can also add cooking cream to enrich and thicken it.
FAQ: Questions about Italian chicken soup
If you are in need of a warm, soothing meal, this Italian chicken soup will be right up your alley. We have answered some of the most common questions you may have about making it.
Can I make Italian chicken soup in advance?
How should I store and reheat Italian chicken soup?
Can I freeze Italian chicken soup?
Can I make Italian chicken soup in advance?
Try our creamy Italian chicken soup recipe
Our recipe for creamy Italian chicken soup packs a flavourful punch. It is filled to the brim with hearty ingredients like chicken, smoked pork, and red lentils. If you are looking for something to keep you warm and full, this soup is ideal. But honestly, it is just too good not to enjoy all year round.
With tender chicken, smoky pork, and colourful vegetables
This soup combines savoury meats with earthy vegetables, offering a fantastic display of tastes and textures. The chicken and smoked pork are first fried to release their sweet, savoury, and smoky notes. When sautéed, the carrots, onions, and celeriac all caramelise slightly, adding their natural sweetness. As the soup simmers, the ingredients slowly break down, turning the chicken and vegetables tender but still leaving a bit of a bite.
Subtle sweet and nutty flavour from red lentils
Red lentils have become a popular choice for soups. Cooked perfectly, they transform from chewy to thick and slightly mushy. Their gentle, nutty flavour never overtakes any of the other. Pour them into the pot and allow them to absorb all the wonderful flavours of the other ingredients.
Enjoy the fresh aroma of dried basil and fresh parsley
Adding dried basil and fresh parsley might not seem like a big deal, but these two herbs should not be underestimated. They work together to give the soup a fresh and aromatic flavour. Basil is often used in Mediterranean cooking for its slightly sweet warmth. Here, it releases its full aroma, while the bright green parsley rounds out the flavour with a clean, peppery finish.
Experience comforting flavours with a little Italian flair
This Italian chicken soup offers a delicious way to experience comforting flavours with a bit of Italian flair. Italian cuisine is famous for its uncomplicated yet rich and flavourful dishes. Our recipe is characterised by its well-seasoned and creamy nature, reflecting the comforting fare that Italy is known for. Bring your family together around the dinner table to savour these delectable flavours.
For other Italian-inspired dishes, try our recipes for minestrone soup, tasty tortellini soup or our easy lasagne soup.
Add your own style to the recipe
If you want to add your own touch to the recipe, there are several ways to go about it. We have chosen to pump up the volume with red lentils, but pasta is also a great option. Opt for small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo. Their size and texture match the other ingredients and stay firm in the broth.
If you are looking to experiment with a variety of vegetables, you might want to consider adding butternut squash or red sweet peppers for extra sweetness. In addition, spinach, kale, or courgettes can be used to add a vibrant, earthy flavour while complementing the rich and savoury components in the recipe.
Incorporating Italian sausage as a substitute for smoked pork is a fantastic way to give the soup a bit more depth. Italian sausage is typically seasoned with a mixture of spices and herbs, such as fennel seeds, garlic, and chilli flakes, which can introduce a bolder, more robust, savoury taste.
