Chicken Rotini Soup
A comforting chicken rotini soup with tender pasta, fresh zucchini, mushrooms, and flavorful broth, perfect for a quick, hearty meal that suits all taste preferences.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 c. water ⓘ
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 4 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 4 c. canned chicken broth
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. dried tarragon leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 3/4 c. uncooked rotini ⓘ
- 1 small zucchini, cut into 1/8-inch slices ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine chicken and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 2 minutes. Drain water and rinse chicken to remove any small white pieces.
- Sauté onion and mushrooms until slightly tender.
- Stir in chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tarragon.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Stir in uncooked pasta.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- Add zucchini to the soup.
- Simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes more, or until pasta is tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth instead of canned. You can substitute the rotini with any other pasta shape, like penne or fusilli. If you like a bit of heat, consider adding red pepper flakes. For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with chickpeas and use vegetable broth. This recipe is inspired by classic American recipes, allowing for flexibility in ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken Rotini Soup with a side of crusty bread or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor. This soup pairs beautifully with recipes like Chicken-Rotelle Soup or even a light pasta salad for a delightful lunch or dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy. If the soup thickens too much upon refrigeration, add a little extra broth or water when reheating to achieve the desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Rotini Soup contains roughly 571 calories, with 15g protein, 10g carbohydrates, and 53g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and potassium.
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
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This Chicken Rotini Soup is great for meal prep. Just make sure to store the pasta separately if you plan to keep it for more than a couple of days, as it can absorb the broth and become mushy. Store the soup and pasta in separate containers, and combine them when ready to eat.
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).