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Close-up of a comforting bowl of Italian Penicillin Soup, perfect for fighting off a cold.

Best Italian Penicillin Soup

This Italian Penicillin Soup is a comforting and flavorful soup designed to soothe and nourish. Infused with classic Italian flavors, it combines chicken broth, vegetables, herbs, and pasta for a healing and delicious experience, perfect when you're feeling under the weather or simply craving a taste of home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken works great
  • 1/2 cup ditalini or orzo pasta
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 Parmesan rind optional
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes optional, for a touch of heat

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Ladle

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth. Add the Parmesan rind (if using). Bring to a simmer.
  5. Add the ditalini or orzo pasta and cook according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes, or until tender.
  6. Stir in the shredded chicken, parsley, basil, and oregano.
  7. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Remove the Parmesan rind.
  8. Stir in the lemon juice.
  9. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately. Garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

For a richer broth, use homemade chicken broth made from roasted chicken bones and a Parmesan rind. Add the lemon juice right before serving to preserve its vibrant flavor. Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also add other vegetables like zucchini or spinach to customize the soup to your liking. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the level of heat.