Description
This Italian Penicillin Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with aromatic vegetables and seasoned with oregano. Enhanced with the option of small pasta like orzo, it offers a nourishing, flavorful meal perfect for chilly days or when you need a soothing bowl of warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Broth
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Others
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Olive oil (for sautéing, about 2 tbsp)
- Small pasta (e.g., orzo) – optional, about 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the carrots and celery, dice the onion, and mince the garlic cloves to have everything ready for cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Cook Chicken: Add the boneless chicken thighs to the pot and sear them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the chopped carrots and celery, cooking for an additional 5 minutes to soften the vegetables and develop flavor.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth to cover all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes to cook the chicken thoroughly and meld the flavors.
- Season and Add Pasta: Stir in the dried oregano and adjust seasoning as needed with salt and pepper. If using pasta, add it now and cook for the last 10 minutes of simmering, until the pasta is tender.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately, ideally with crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- You can use chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but thighs add more flavor and tenderness.
- The optional pasta adds heartiness, but the soup is also delicious without it, making it lower-carb.
- Low-sodium broth lets you control the salt content better for your taste and health needs.
- For added freshness, garnish with chopped parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
- This soup freezes well; store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
