Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini, orzo, small shells)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add cubed chicken breast and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Add chopped onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the broth to a boil, then add the small pasta. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook according to pasta package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the soup to thicken slightly.
- Add the fresh spinach to the pot, stirring until it wilts into the soup, about 1-2 minutes. Season with black pepper and salt to taste. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
For a thicker soup, you can create a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water) and stir it into the simmering soup at Step 4. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; the pasta may absorb more liquid, so you might need to add a splash more broth when reheating. Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or celery along with the onion for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx.)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
