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I've been making this Italian Chicken Pastina Soup since my grandmother taught me years ago in her cozy kitchen. Every time I stir this pot of comfort I think of her standing beside me showing me exactly how to make her famous "cure everything" soup. The tiny pastina pasta dancing in golden broth with tender chicken and colorful vegetables brings back the warmest memories. Now I'm sharing our family's treasured recipe with you.
A Bowl of Pure Love
When my kids are feeling under the weather or we just need something soul warming this soup is my go to recipe. It comes together in under an hour using simple ingredients you probably already have. The magic is in letting all those comforting flavors meld together creating the perfect balance of tender pasta vegetables and chicken in every spoonful.
What You'll Need in Your Kitchen
- Pastina Pasta: These tiny pasta stars or little rice shaped ones soak up all the amazing flavors.
- Chicken: I usually grab a rotisserie chicken to make life easier.
- Vegetables: Sweet onions celery yellow peppers fresh garlic and carrots create the flavor base.
- Chicken Broth: Homemade is amazing but good quality store bought works perfectly.
- Olive Oil and Butter: A little of each creates the perfect richness.
- Parmesan Rind: My grandma's secret for incredible depth.
- Fresh Herbs: Whatever looks best at the market rosemary thyme or parsley.
- Parmesan Cheese: Always freshly grated never the powdered stuff.
- Seasonings: Simple salt pepper and Italian herbs bring everything together.
Creating Your Pot of Comfort
- Start with Love
- Get your biggest pot warm with olive oil and butter then add your diced veggies. Let them slowly soften and release their flavors.
- Build the Base
- Pour in that golden broth and add your carrots. Let everything simmer until your kitchen smells amazing about 20 minutes.
- Time for Magic
- Scoop out some veggies to save then blend everything else until smooth. This creates the silkiest most luxurious broth.
- Pasta Perfect
- Sprinkle in your pastina and watch it cook into tiny tender bites of happiness.
- Bringing it Home
- Stir those saved veggies back in with your chicken. Let everything rest together getting even more delicious.
- The Grand Finale
- Fill your favorite bowls top with fresh Parmesan and herbs then drizzle with your best olive oil.
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My Kitchen Secrets
- Pick the Perfect Pasta: I always use authentic Italian pastina the texture makes such a difference.
- Give it Time: Let your soup take a little rest off the heat the flavors bloom beautifully.
- Save Those Rinds: I keep all my Parmesan rinds in the freezer just for soups like this.
- Make it Your Own: Sometimes I toss in fresh zucchini or handfuls of spinach.
- Less is More: Don't go crazy with the pasta a little goes such a long way.
Keeping Your Soup Fresh
Pour your leftover soup into containers and pop them in the fridge where they'll stay perfect for about 4 days. When you're ready for more just warm it slowly adding a splash of broth if needed. I don't recommend freezing this one the pasta gets a bit too soft when thawed.
Making it Extra Special
Nothing beats dunking crusty Italian bread into this soup. I love serving it with a simple green salad dressed in olive oil and lemon. Don't forget to put out extra Parmesan and fresh herbs so everyone can make their bowl exactly how they like it.
Your Questions Answered
- Can I use different pasta? Any tiny pasta works beautifully here orzo and stelline are my other favorites.
- Need it gluten free? Try gluten free pastina or even a little rice works wonderfully.
- Making it veggie? Switch to vegetable broth and skip the chicken it's still absolutely delicious.
- Want more protein? I sometimes add white beans or chickpeas for extra goodness.
- Best blending method? My stick blender makes it super easy but any blender works just be careful with the hot soup.
Sharing the Love
This Italian Chicken Pastina Soup has become more than just a recipe in my kitchen. It's a warm hug on a cold day comfort when someone's feeling down and love in every spoonful. I hope it brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine. Let me know how you make it your own.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What is pastina?
- Pastina is a tiny type of Italian pasta, often shaped like little stars or small balls. It's commonly used in soups and is especially popular in Italian comfort food recipes.
- → Can I make this soup ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make this soup ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep in mind the pasta might absorb more broth over time, so you may need to add extra broth when reheating.
- → Why is it called Italian Nonna's Penicillin?
- This soup earned this nickname because it's known for its comforting and healing properties, similar to how grandmothers' remedies often make people feel better. The combination of warm broth, vegetables, and pasta makes it especially soothing when feeling under the weather.
- → Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
- Yes, you can use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie chicken. Cook and shred the chicken before adding it to the soup. Using rotisserie chicken is just a time-saving convenience.
- → What can I substitute for pastina?
- If you can't find pastina, you can use any small pasta shape like orzo, small shells, or broken pieces of angel hair pasta. The cooking time might vary depending on the pasta shape you choose.