Description
Whip up a bowl of comforting deliciousness with this Healthy Italian Ground Chicken Soup. Packed with lean protein, vegetables, and savory Italian herbs, it’s a nourishing meal for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground chicken
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini, acini di pepe, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 cup fresh spinach (or kale, stems removed and roughly chopped)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 6-8 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the undrained diced tomatoes. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Stir in the small pasta and cook according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Add the fresh spinach (or kale) during the last few minutes of cooking, stirring until it wilts.
- Season the soup generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This soup also freezes well; store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g