Creamy Chicken and Pasta Delight
Indulge in a warm bowl of Creamy Chicken and Pasta Delight, a comforting soup that marries tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and savory pasta in a luscious creamy broth. The addition of sugar snap peas brings a delightful crunch, while lemon juice adds a refreshing zing to awaken your taste buds. Easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet delicious enough for guests, this dish pays homage to the famed J. Alexander's Restaurant, delighting your family with every comforting spoonful. Whether with penne or macaroni, this soup is sure to be a new favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
3 tablespoons (Melted)
Button Mushrooms
4 ounces (Sliced)
Celery
1 cup (Sliced)
Carrots
1 cup (Shredded (about 2 medium))
Onion
1 medium (Chopped)
All-purpose Flour
3 tablespoons (N/A)
Chicken Stock
6 cups (Low sodium or homemade is preferred)
Half-and-Half
1 1/2 cups (N/A)
Fresh Parsley
2 tablespoons (Chopped)
Chicken Tenders
1 1/2 lbs (Cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
Penne Pasta
1 cup (Cooked)
Sugar Snap Peas
1/4 lb (Halved diagonally)
Lemon Juice
3 tablespoons (Freshly squeezed)
Instructions
1
In a large heavy pot, melt the butter over medium heat until bubbly.
2
Add the sliced mushrooms, chopped celery, shredded carrots, and onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
3
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring continuously to create a roux.
4
Gradually pour in the chicken stock while stirring to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5
Stir in the half-and-half and chopped parsley, allowing the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
6
Add the chicken tenders cut into bite-sized pieces and let them simmer in the soup until fully cooked, which should take around 5 minutes.
7
While the chicken is cooking, cook the penne pasta in a separate large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (firm to bite). Drain the pasta and set aside.
8
Once the chicken is cooked, bring the soup back to a simmer before adding in the cooked pasta, sugar snap peas, and simmer for 2 more minutes.
9
Finally, mix in the fresh lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken and Pasta Delight?
It is a comforting soup that features tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and savory pasta in a luscious creamy broth.
What kind of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using one cup of cooked penne pasta, although macaroni is also a suitable alternative.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, the recipe description notes that either penne or macaroni can be used for this soup.
How many ingredients are needed for this dish?
There are 13 main ingredients required to make this Creamy Chicken and Pasta Delight.
Which vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup includes button mushrooms, celery, shredded carrots, onion, and sugar snap peas.
How should the carrots be prepared?
You should use 1 cup of shredded carrots, which is approximately the amount from 2 medium carrots.
What type of mushrooms does the recipe call for?
The recipe specifies 4 ounces of sliced button mushrooms.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The process begins by melting 3 tablespoons of butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat until bubbly.
How long should the initial vegetables be sautéed?
The mushrooms, celery, carrots, and onion should be sautéed for about 5 minutes until they are tender.
How is the soup thickened?
The soup is thickened by creating a roux; sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for 3 minutes while stirring continuously.
What type of chicken stock is best to use?
Low sodium or homemade chicken stock is preferred for this recipe.
What provides the creaminess to the soup?
The creaminess is achieved by adding 1 1/2 cups of half-and-half to the broth.
When should the fresh parsley be added?
Stir in the 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley along with the half-and-half.
How should the chicken be prepared before adding it to the pot?
Use 1 1/2 lbs of chicken tenders and cut them into bite-sized, 1/2-inch pieces.
How long does the chicken take to cook in the soup?
Once added to the simmering soup, the chicken pieces should be fully cooked in about 5 minutes.
Is the pasta cooked in the same pot as the soup?
No, the penne pasta should be cooked separately in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drained before being added to the soup.
What does al dente mean?
Al dente refers to pasta that is cooked to be firm to the bite.
When do the sugar snap peas get added?
The sugar snap peas are added at the end, along with the cooked pasta, and simmered for 2 minutes.
How should the sugar snap peas be cut?
The sugar snap peas should be halved diagonally before being added to the soup.
What is the purpose of the lemon juice?
The 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice add a refreshing zing that helps awaken the taste buds.
How should the final dish be seasoned?
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste just before serving.
Is this recipe inspired by a restaurant?
Yes, this dish is a homage to the famed J. Alexander's Restaurant.
Is this a good recipe for weeknights?
Yes, the recipe is described as easy enough for a weeknight dinner while being delicious enough for guests.
What is the texture of the sugar snap peas in this soup?
The sugar snap peas provide a delightful crunch to the creamy soup.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, 'comfort food' is one of the primary tags and descriptors for this recipe.
What is the total simmering time after adding stock?
The soup simmers for 5 minutes after adding dairy, 5 minutes for the chicken, and a final 2 minutes for the pasta and peas.
What are the main flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish is savory and creamy with a refreshing hint of citrus from the lemon juice.
How much butter and flour are used for the roux?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
Can this soup be served to families?
Absolutely, it is tagged as a 'family meal' and intended to delight the whole family.
Should the soup be served hot or cold?
The instructions recommend serving the soup hot to enjoy the flavors fully.