Chicken Pasta Soup
A hearty chicken pasta soup with tender chicken, flavorful tomatoes, and herbs, perfect for comforting family meals or casual gatherings, packed with savory and tangy notes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook chicken, onions, and garlic in olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients except pasta.
- Bring to a boil.
- Stir in pasta.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until pasta is tender, about 12 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider adding diced carrots or celery along with the onions and garlic. If you don't have chicken broth, vegetable broth can be a great substitute. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time. Adjust the spice level of the picante sauce based on your preference. This soup is versatile and can be modified with your favorite herbs to suit your taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chicken pasta soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with A Sweet Bird for a comforting evening. You can garnish each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor. This dish also makes for great leftovers, perfect for quick lunches throughout the week.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply place the soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If the pasta absorbs too much broth, you may need to add a splash of water or additional broth when reheating to restore the desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Pasta Soup contains roughly 862 calories, with 7g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 75g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (45% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and calcium (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 477mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast. Just ensure to cook it thoroughly before adding the other ingredients. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure it's fully cooked and tender.
What type of pasta works best in this soup?
Short pasta shapes like elbow macaroni, shells, or fusilli work best since they hold onto the broth and ingredients well. Avoid long pasta types like spaghetti, as they can become mushy when cooked in the soup.
Can I make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the soup a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just remember to add the pasta shortly before serving to keep it from becoming too soft. Reheating is simple, and the flavors will meld beautifully overnight.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).