Description
This Cozy Chicken and Stars Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. Featuring tender shredded chicken, small star-shaped pasta, and a medley of vegetables simmered in a flavorful herb-infused chicken broth, this soup delivers warmth and nourishment in every spoonful. Brightened with a touch of lemon juice and fresh parsley, it’s both satisfying and fresh-tasting, ideal for a family meal or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
Protein and Pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup small pasta stars
Finishing Touches
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced onion and cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally until the onion becomes soft and translucent, enhancing the soup’s flavor base.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning and to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Add Broth and Water: Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Season the Soup: Add dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper to the pot, stirring well to distribute the herbs and seasoning throughout.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all spices are well incorporated into the broth.
- Add Vegetables: Add the sliced carrots and celery to the pot, stirring to mix them evenly with the broth and seasonings.
- Simmer Vegetables: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still hold their shape.
- Add Chicken: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken to heat it through and infuse flavor into the soup.
- Add Pasta: Mix in the small pasta stars and continue simmering the soup for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is cooked and tender.
- Add Bay Leaf: Place the bay leaf into the pot and simmer for an additional 2 minutes to impart subtle depth of flavor.
- Remove Bay Leaf: Remove and discard the bay leaf carefully to avoid any bitterness in the final soup.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavors and add a pleasant tangy note.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the soup for a burst of color and fresh herbal flavor before serving hot.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken from leftovers or a rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Adjust pasta cooking time based on the pasta type if not using star-shaped pasta.
- Vegetarian option: substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken.
- For a thicker soup, add an extra half cup of pasta or simmer a bit longer to reduce broth.
- Lemon juice can be adjusted or omitted according to taste preference.
