Hearty Chicken & Zucchini Pasta Soup
This Hearty Chicken & Zucchini Pasta Soup is a comforting dish that makes the best use of leftover roast chicken and seasonal vegetables. With a savory broth made from the chicken carcass, each spoonful bursts with flavor and rich nutrition. The blend of tender pasta, fresh zucchini, and aromatic vegetables makes it perfect for a cozy night in or to share with friends. Embrace the warmth and heartiness of this soup that's sure to nourish both body and soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken carcass
1 (Bones and any leftover meat)
Water
4 cups (For stock)
Fresh thyme
2 (Sprigs)
Oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Onion
1 medium (Finely chopped)
Celery
1 stalk (Chopped into small cubes)
Carrots
2 small (Peeled and cubed)
Garlic
1 (Clove, minced)
Pasta shells
2 cups (For the soup)
Zucchini
2 (Sliced lengthwise and then cut into triangles)
Cooked chicken breast
1 (Sliced and shredded)
Salt
To taste (For seasoning)
Pepper
To taste (For seasoning)
Instructions
1
Remove the meat from the roast chicken breast and set aside. Place the chicken carcass, wings, and any other leftover bones in a large microwave-safe dish with 4 cups of water and 2 sprigs of fresh thyme. Cover and microwave on high for 10 minutes to create a flavorful chicken stock.
2
While the stock is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Finely chop the onion and heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and season with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor as it cooks.
3
Slice the celery stalk lengthwise into strips, then chop into small cubes. Add the diced celery to the pot and sauté until it begins to soften.
4
Peel and cube the carrots into small pieces, similar in size to the celery. Add them to the pot and continue cooking until all vegetables are tender.
5
Mince the garlic clove and add it to the pot, stirring for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
6
Once the stock is ready, carefully strain it over the sautéed vegetables in the pot. This infuses the broth with all the flavors from the chicken.
7
Stir in the pasta shells and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cooking until the pasta is al dente, approximately 10 to 13 minutes.
8
While the pasta is cooking, take the reserved cooked chicken breast, slice it thinly, and shred any additional good bits from the strained bones to add to the soup.
9
Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper according to your preference. If the soup seems too thick, add additional water as needed; around 1 cup more is usually sufficient.
10
In the last 5 minutes of cooking, prepare the zucchini by slicing it lengthwise and cutting into triangular pieces, which helps maintain their texture during reheating. Add the zucchini to the pot and let it cook until tender.
11
Serve the soup hot and enjoy the comforting, rich flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Chicken & Zucchini Pasta Soup?
This soup is a comforting dish that makes use of leftover roast chicken and seasonal vegetables in a savory homemade broth.
How do I make the stock for this soup?
Place the chicken carcass, wings, and bones in a microwave-safe dish with 4 cups of water and 2 sprigs of thyme, then microwave on high for 10 minutes.
Can I use store-bought stock?
The recipe focuses on making a flavorful homemade stock from a chicken carcass, but store-bought stock could be used as a substitute.
What should I do with the chicken carcass?
Use the carcass to create a flavorful stock by microwaving it with water and thyme sprigs.
How much water is needed for the stock?
You will need 4 cups of water for the initial chicken stock.
How long should I microwave the bones?
Microwave the chicken carcass and bones on high for 10 minutes to create the stock.
What herbs are used in the stock?
Two sprigs of fresh thyme are added to the water and bones to flavor the stock.
How do I prepare the onion?
Finely chop one medium onion and saute it in oil with a pinch of salt until it begins to cook.
What is the first vegetable to saute?
The diced onion is the first vegetable added to the pot with oil.
How do I prepare the celery?
Slice one celery stalk lengthwise into strips, then chop it into small cubes.
How should I cut the carrots?
Peel and cube two small carrots into pieces that are similar in size to the celery cubes.
When do I add the garlic?
Mince one clove of garlic and add it to the pot after the carrots have become tender.
How long should I cook the garlic?
Stir the minced garlic for 1 to 2 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
How do I combine the stock with the vegetables?
Carefully strain the hot stock over the sauteed vegetables in the pot.
What type of pasta is best for this soup?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 cups of pasta shells.
How long should the pasta cook?
Simmer the pasta shells for approximately 10 to 13 minutes.
When is the pasta considered done?
The pasta is ready when it reaches an al dente texture.
How do I prepare the chicken meat?
Slice the cooked roast chicken breast thinly and shred any meat found on the bones.
Can I use meat from the bones used for stock?
Yes, you should shred any additional good bits of meat from the strained bones to add back into the soup.
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
You can add additional water to the pot if the consistency is too thick for your preference.
How much extra water can I add?
Adding around 1 cup more of water is usually sufficient if the soup needs thinning.
How do I cut the zucchini?
Slice the zucchini lengthwise and then cut them into triangular pieces.
Why cut the zucchini into triangles?
This specific cut helps the zucchini maintain its texture, especially during reheating.
When should I add the zucchini to the soup?
Add the zucchini pieces during the last 5 minutes of the cooking process.
How do I season the soup?
Taste the broth and add salt and pepper according to your preference.
What amount of oil is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of oil for sauteing the vegetables.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe calls for 2 small carrots.
How many zucchini are required?
You will need 2 zucchini for this soup recipe.
Is this recipe good for leftovers?
Yes, it is specifically designed to use leftover roast chicken and the chicken carcass.
How should the soup be served?
Serve the soup hot to enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of the chicken and vegetables.