Are you feeling a little run-down, or perhaps just yearning for a culinary cuddle on a cool evening? For those moments when you need a dish that genuinely soothes the soul and provides an inner warmth, there is one recipe we always come back to. The solution is a time-honoured classic, a simmering pot of comfort that feels like a heartfelt hug from an Italian grandmother. We are, of course, talking about the ultimate Chicken Pastina Soup Recipe, a dish that is as effortless to prepare as it is delightful to eat.

This soup is so much more than a simple meal; for many, it represents tradition, a soothing remedy, and a cherished memory. By bringing together tender chicken, a deeply savoury broth, and those tiny, charming pasta stars, this is the very definition of a comforting bowl. Let’s get started and discover how to craft this wonderfully simple dish in your own kitchen.

What Exactly Is Pastina?

Before we bring our soup to a simmer, let’s explore the main attraction: pastina. In Italian, the word “pastina” translates directly to “little pasta” or “tiny dough,” and it describes a whole family of minuscule pasta shapes. It isn’t a single specific type but rather a classification of pasta, often the very first kind that Italian children are introduced to.

You may come across it in several different forms, such as:

• Stelline: Charming little stars, which are arguably the most recognisable shape used in this soup.
• Acini di Pepe: Tiny “peppercorns” that contribute a wonderful texture.
• Orzo: A small pasta shaped like a grain of rice that also works beautifully.
• Ditalini: Minuscule, short tubes that are perfect for scooping up the broth.

Any of these tiny pasta varieties will be a superb addition to our chicken pastina soup. Their small size allows them to cook quickly within the pot, soaking up every bit of the broth’s delicious flavour.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Quick and Easy: From the moment you start to the final ladle, this soup is ready in roughly 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight supper. It’s a genuinely easy chicken soup that never skimps on flavour.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: This is classic italian comfort food in its purest form. The blend of gentle flavours and warm broth is profoundly comforting, perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather or just fancy a culinary embrace.
• Uses Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of the necessary ingredients in your cupboards and refrigerator. It’s a humble dish crafted from everyday essentials, showing that you don’t need anything elaborate to make something truly special.
• Family-Friendly Favourite: This soup is adored by both adults and children. The tiny pasta shapes and mild, savoury taste make it a sure-fire hit with even the most particular eaters.

Ingredients

• olive oil
• celery stalks
• chicken broth
• cooked chicken breast
• pastina pasta
• bay leaf
• dried oregano
• black pepper
• fresh flat-leaf parsley
• lemon juice
• Parmesan cheese

How to Make the Perfect Chicken Pastina Soup

Crafting this bowl of liquid gold is a wonderfully simple process. We will build the flavours methodically, beginning with a traditional vegetable base and concluding with fresh, bright notes. Follow these steps to achieve a perfect result every time.

Step 1: Build Your Flavour Base (The Soffritto)

The cornerstone of any great Italian soup is the soffritto—a gentle sauté of aromatic vegetables. In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, carrots, and celery. Allow them to cook gently for 8–10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables have softened and the onion is translucent. This unhurried cooking method is essential, as it coaxes out the vegetables’ natural sweetness and creates a rich foundation for our soup.

Step 2: Add the Aromatics

Once your vegetables are tender, it’s time to add the minced garlic and dried oregano. Stir everything together constantly for about a minute until the garlic releases its fragrant aroma. Take care not to let the garlic brown, as this can make it taste bitter. This swift action infuses the oil and vegetables with even more wonderful flavour.

Step 3: Create the Nourishing Broth

Now, we transform our fragrant vegetables into a beautiful soup. Pour the chicken broth into the pot and add the bay leaf. For the richest flavour, we always recommend using a high-quality stock; a Homemade Chicken Broth is absolutely brilliant if you have some on hand. Bring the liquid to a steady simmer and season it generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let it bubble away for 5 minutes, which gives the flavours time to mingle and create a truly nourishing broth.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken and Pastina

Add the shredded, cooked chicken and your chosen pastina to the simmering broth. Give it all a thorough stir and let the soup cook for the duration specified on your pasta’s packaging, which is typically around 6–9 minutes. The pastina will cook perfectly in the soup, absorbing the flavourful broth as it becomes tender, while the chicken gently heats through.

Step 5: The Finishing Touches

As soon as the pastina is tender, take the pot off the heat. Remove the bay leaf and discard it. It’s time for the final elements that turn this simple soup into something extraordinary: stir in the chopped fresh parsley and the juice from half a lemon. The lemon juice wonderfully brightens all the flavours without lending a sour taste—it’s our secret weapon for a spectacular finish. Have a final taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if you feel it needs it.

Serving Your Chicken Pastina Soup

We find this soup is at its absolute best when served straight away, piping hot. Ladle it into pre-warmed bowls and top with a generous grating of fresh Parmesan cheese. The salty, nutty cheese will melt delicately into the hot broth, introducing a final, irresistible layer of savoury flavour. Serve it with a chunk of crusty bread for dipping to create a truly perfect meal.

Top Tips for Success

• Don’t Overcook the Pastina: Tiny pasta cooks very quickly indeed. Keep a watchful eye on it and cook only until it is ‘al dente’ (retaining a slight bite). It will continue to soften in the hot broth, and overcooked pasta can turn mushy.
• Use Quality Broth: The broth is the very soul of this soup. A high-quality, flavourful chicken broth will make a significant difference to the final result.
• A Shortcut with Rotisserie Chicken: For an incredibly speedy meal, use shredded meat from a supermarket rotisserie chicken. It’s an excellent way to use leftovers, and you can discover more ideas in our guide on How to Use Leftover Roast Chicken.
• Dice Vegetables Finely: By cutting your onion, carrots, and celery into a small, consistent dice, you ensure they cook evenly and contribute a lovely texture to every spoonful.

Variations to Try

While we are partial to this classic recipe, it is also wonderfully adaptable. Here are a few suggestions to help you make it your own:

• Add Leafy Greens: Stir through a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach or kale in the final few minutes of cooking. They will wilt beautifully into the soup, adding extra nutrients and a splash of colour.
• Boost the Veggies: Don’t hesitate to add other finely diced vegetables, such as courgettes or leeks, along with the soffritto.
• A Touch of Spice: For a gentle, warming heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes at the same time as the garlic.
• Enrich with Egg: For a traditional Italian finish, much like ‘Stracciatella’ soup, whisk an egg with a tablespoon of grated Parmesan. While stirring the soup slowly, drizzle the egg mixture into the pot just after turning off the heat. It will form delicate, delicious ribbons as it cooks. You can learn more about Italian cooking from an expert source like Serious Eats’ guide to pastina.

FAQ

A Bowl of Pure Comfort Awaits

So there you have it—a simple, heartwarming, and utterly delicious Chicken Pastina Soup recipe that we are sure will become a firm favourite in your home. It provides the perfect solution for a quick weeknight meal, a comforting remedy for when you’re feeling low, or simply a satisfying 30 minute dinner.

We truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this dish as much as we do. It serves as a wonderful reminder that the most memorable meals are often the simplest, created with love and a few wholesome ingredients. Please give this recipe a go, and be sure to leave a comment below to let us know how you got on. We would love to hear from you!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup pastina pasta (stelline, orzo, etc.)
• 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 8-10 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and dried oregano and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, add the bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to let the flavours meld.
4. Add the shredded chicken and pastina to the pot. Cook for 6-9 minutes, or according to pasta package directions, until the pastina is al dente.
5. Remove the pot from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
6. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately, topped with a generous grating of Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 360, Carbs: 30 g, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 7 g