Italian Comfort Chicken & White Bean Pasta Soup
This hearty Chicken Pasta E Fagioli combines succulent chicken tenders, wholesome cannellini beans, and a medley of fresh vegetables for a delicious and comforting one-pot meal. Perfect for chilly evenings, this dish boasts an array of flavors infused into a rich, savory broth. It’s topped with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and bright basil, making it a delightful option for family dinners and gatherings. In just one pot, you can create an Italian masterpiece that will warm hearts and satisfy appetites – a must-try for any comfort food lover!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
4 tablespoons (none)
celery ribs
2 large (finely chopped)
carrots
2 medium (finely chopped)
onion
1 large (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
water
1/2 cup (none)
peeled Italian tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (none)
chicken broth
5 1/2 cups (none)
chicken tenders
1 lb (cut into bite-sized pieces)
cannellini beans
2 (15 ounce) cans (un-drained)
ditalini pasta
5 ounces (cooked according to package directions)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (chopped)
salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped celery, carrots, onion, and minced garlic, sautéing for about 1-2 minutes until the onions become translucent.
2
Pour in the water and cover the saucepan, allowing the vegetables to steam for another minute.
3
Stir in the chicken broth and the canned Italian tomatoes, bringing the mixture to a boil.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
5
Add the bite-sized chicken tenders to the pot, followed by the un-drained cannellini beans.
6
Return to a simmer and cook for another 7 minutes while stirring occasionally.
7
Gently fold in the cooked ditalini pasta, simmering the mixture for an additional 3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
8
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Italian Comfort Chicken & White Bean Pasta Soup?
It is a hearty Chicken Pasta E Fagioli that combines chicken tenders, cannellini beans, and fresh vegetables in a rich, savory broth.
What are the main ingredients for this soup?
The main ingredients include chicken tenders, cannellini beans, ditalini pasta, peeled Italian tomatoes, chicken broth, celery, carrots, onion, and garlic.
How do I prepare the vegetables for the soup?
The celery, carrots, and onion should be finely chopped, and the garlic should be minced before cooking.
What type of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of chicken tenders cut into bite-sized pieces.
What kind of beans should I use?
You should use two 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans, and they should be added un-drained.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
While ditalini pasta is recommended, you can substitute it with other small pasta shapes like macaroni or orzo if needed.
Do I need to cook the pasta before adding it to the soup?
Yes, the ditalini pasta should be cooked according to the package directions before being folded into the soup.
How long does it take to cook the chicken in the pot?
Once the chicken and beans are added, they should simmer for approximately 7 minutes while stirring occasionally.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, this dish is designed to be a convenient and comforting one-pot Italian masterpiece.
What type of tomatoes are best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for one 28-ounce can of peeled Italian tomatoes.
How do I garnish the soup?
Garnish the soup with freshly chopped basil and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the chicken and replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
What is the purpose of the water in the recipe?
The half cup of water is used to steam the vegetables for about a minute after they have been sautéed.
How much olive oil is required?
You will need 4 tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the vegetables.
Is this soup considered healthy?
This soup is a wholesome meal featuring lean chicken protein, fiber-rich beans, and fresh vegetables.
How should I store leftover soup?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Can I freeze Italian Chicken & White Bean Pasta Soup?
Yes, it can be frozen, though the pasta may absorb more liquid upon thawing, so you may need to add a splash of broth when reheating.
What does 'Pasta E Fagioli' mean?
'Pasta e fagioli' simply translates to 'pasta and beans,' which are the two central components of this traditional Italian dish.
What flavor profile does this soup have?
It has a rich and savory flavor profile infused with garlic, Italian tomatoes, and fresh basil.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is recommended for the best flavor.
How many cans of beans are needed?
The recipe requires two 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes, chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces can be used as a substitute for chicken tenders.
How long should the vegetables simmer?
After adding the broth and tomatoes, let the vegetables simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until they are tender.
How much pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 5 ounces of ditalini pasta.
Is the soup spicy?
No, the soup is savory rather than spicy, seasoned only with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
What size saucepan should I use?
A large, heavy saucepan is recommended to accommodate all the ingredients.
Can I use dried beans?
You can use dried beans if they are soaked and cooked beforehand, but the recipe is optimized for the convenience of canned beans.
What order should the ingredients be added?
Sauté vegetables, steam them, add broth and tomatoes, simmer, add chicken and beans, and finally fold in the cooked pasta.
Why should the beans be un-drained?
The liquid in the bean can helps thicken the soup and adds extra flavor to the broth.
How do I know when the onions are ready?
The onions are ready when they become translucent, which usually takes 1-2 minutes of sautéing over medium heat.