Description
Tuscan inspired chicken soup whisks home cooks through Italy’s rustic countryside with hearty vegetables and creamy white beans. Comforting herbs and tender chicken create a soul-warming meal that connects families around warm bowls of Mediterranean magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 skinless cooked chicken fillets, shredded
- 400 g (14 oz) cooked cannellini beans, washed and drained
- 2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 stick of celery, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 100 g (3.5 oz) chopped kale
- small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 litre (4 cups) chicken stock or bouillon
Instructions
- Elevate a standard pot to medium heat and drizzle olive oil across its surface, allowing the oil to shimmer and warm.
- Introduce finely diced onions to the heated oil, gently sautéing until they transform into a translucent, soft landscape with delicate edges.
- Sprinkle minced garlic into the pot, stirring continuously for approximately 60 seconds until an aromatic fragrance fills the kitchen and the garlic becomes golden-tinged.
- Layer fresh or dried thyme, thinly sliced celery, rustic chopped carrots, and cubed potatoes into the aromatic base, stirring to combine and allowing vegetables to meld for 4-5 minutes.
- Cascade chicken stock (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters) into the vegetable mixture, seasoning generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance depth of flavor.
- Escalate heat to create a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing vegetables to tenderize and flavors to harmonize for 18-22 minutes.
- Gently fold cannellini beans, tender shredded chicken, and robust chopped kale into the simmering liquid, ensuring each ingredient is evenly distributed.
- Continue simmering for an additional 4-6 minutes, guaranteeing all components are thoroughly warmed and integrated.
- Extinguish the heat and finish the soup with a flourish of freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, creating a vibrant and comforting Tuscan-inspired culinary experience.
Notes
- Elevate this hearty soup by using fresh, high-quality ingredients for maximum flavor complexity.
- Customize the soup’s thickness by adjusting the amount of chicken stock or mashing some potatoes to create a richer texture.
- Prep vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent bite sizes throughout the soup.
- Swap kale with spinach or Swiss chard if preferred, maintaining the nutritious green vegetable component.
- Make ahead and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra shredded chicken or topping with crispy pancetta before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg