If you’re craving a soul-warming dish that feels like a comforting hug in a bowl, this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. It blends tender chunks of chicken with hearty vegetables, fresh spinach, and a luscious creamy base, all infused with the delightful flavors of Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Every spoonful delivers a rich and satisfying experience that’s perfect for cozy nights, family meals, or impressing guests with minimal effort. Trust me, once you try this soup, it’ll quickly become a go-to favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe calls for simple yet essential ingredients that work together beautifully to create a soup bursting with flavor, texture, and color. Each item plays its part, from the savory chicken and hearty vegetables to the creamy cheese and fresh spinach that brighten up the bowl.
- Olive oil: The perfect base to brown the chicken and gently sauté your vegetables, adding a subtle richness.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Tender, protein-packed, and diced into perfect bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Italian seasoning: Infuses the chicken and broth with aromatic herbs that bring Tuscan vibes to every spoonful.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that balance flavors throughout the soup.
- Carrots, celery, and onions: Classic mirepoix elements that build a flavorful vegetable base.
- Sundried tomatoes: Provide bursts of tangy sweetness and depth.
- Garlic cloves: Minced to release that irresistible fragrant punch.
- Flour: Used as a thickening agent to create a creamy, velvety soup texture.
- Tomato paste (optional): Adds richness and a concentrated tomato flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Chicken broth: The hearty liquid foundation, perfectly seasoned, and nourishing.
- Pasta (Italian small shells): Adds satisfying bite and bulk, capturing the creamy broth.
- Heavy whipping cream: For that silky smooth, indulgent creaminess that makes this soup feel luxurious.
- Grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese: Provides sharp, nutty flavor and thickens the soup gently.
- Fresh spinach: Adds a pop of vibrant green color and a fresh, earthy note.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken along with a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brown the chicken on all sides for about 4 to 5 minutes. This step locks in the juices and adds a beautiful golden color and deep flavor to the soup. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside if needed.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables and Aromatics
In the same pot, toss in the diced onions, carrots, celery, sundried tomatoes, and minced garlic. Sauté the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. This cooks down the vegetables just enough to bring out their sweetness and lets the garlic infuse the oil – giving your soup that essential aromatic base that’s packed with flavor.
Step 3: Add Thickener and Tomato Paste
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sautéed vegetables and stir thoroughly to combine. Adding the flour gradually helps prevent clumps from forming, and it’s crucial for creating that satisfyingly creamy texture. If you’re using tomato paste, add it here to deepen the tomato taste, stirring until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Add Broth and Deglaze
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, starting with 6 cups, ensuring no lumps remain. The broth deglazes the pan, lifting all those flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. These bits add delicious umami depth to your soup. Keep extra broth handy in case you want to thin the soup later.
Step 5: Simmer with Pasta
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then add the pasta, another teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper as needed. Cover and reduce the heat to simmer gently. Let this cook for about 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking through and the pasta to reach just al dente tenderness. If preferred, cook pasta separately and add it before serving for a firmer bite.
Step 6: Finish the Soup
Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the soup simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the broth, creating that iconic creamy Tuscan texture and flavor. Give it a final taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Top your steaming bowl of creamy Tuscan chicken soup with an extra sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a few torn basil leaves or chopped parsley. These garnishes not only enhance the visual appeal but add a burst of fresh herbal brightness that contrasts wonderfully with the rich creaminess.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread, whether it’s a warm baguette, garlic bread, or an herbed focaccia. The bread is perfect for dipping into the velvety broth and soaking up every last bit. A light green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette also complements the richness by adding a refreshing balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming presentation, serve the Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe in rustic bread bowls. Imagine scooping creamy soup from a hollowed-out round loaf – it’s not only practical but adds a wow factor to your meal. Alternatively, ladle the soup into individual ramekins, sprinkle garnishes on top, and serve with garlic crostini for a sophisticated touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer your leftover Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to four days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making it just as delicious the next day.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully! Place cooled soup in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Because the pasta can become mushy after freezing, consider cooking the pasta fresh when reheating if you prefer a firmer texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or cream if it seems too thick. If you froze the soup without pasta, cook fresh pasta separately and add it before serving to maintain texture and freshness.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this soup and add extra juiciness and flavor thanks to their higher fat content. Just dice them into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
Is there a way to make this soup gluten-free?
Yes, you can swap out the flour with a gluten-free alternative like rice flour or cornstarch for thickening. Also, ensure your pasta is gluten-free or consider skipping it and adding extra vegetables instead.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with hearty mushrooms or chickpeas, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and skip the chicken altogether. The creamy base and seasonings will still deliver plenty of savory goodness.
What pasta types work best in this recipe?
Small Italian pastas such as shells, ditalini, or orzo are ideal because they cook evenly and fit perfectly on a spoon with broth. Avoid large pasta shapes that might dominate the soup’s delicate balance.
Can I prepare this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables first for maximum flavor, then transfer everything to the slow cooker with broth and seasoning. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, add pasta near the end, then finish with cream, spinach, and cheese to preserve freshness.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe is a true kitchen gem that brings together simple ingredients in a way that feels absolutely luxurious and satisfying. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight family dinner or looking to impress guests, this soup hits all the right notes with its creamy texture, vibrant colors, and irresistible comfort flavor. I hope you try it soon and make it a cherished part of your recipe repertoire!
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, pasta, and a rich combination of cream and Parmesan cheese. The soup is infused with Italian seasoning and sun-dried tomatoes for a rustic taste, making it perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 to 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (for chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste (for chicken)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- ½ cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced onions
- ¼ cup diced sundried tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Thickener and Flavor Enhancers
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)
Broth and Pasta
- 6 to 8 cups chicken broth, start with 6 cups
- 6 oz pasta (such as Italian small shells)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (for simmering with pasta)
- Salt and pepper to taste (for soup)
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ to 1 cup grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese
- 2 ½ to 3 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken along with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Cook the chicken while stirring occasionally until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside if needed.
- Sauté Vegetables & Aromatics: In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, celery, sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Thickener & Tomato Paste: Sprinkle flour over the softened vegetables in stages to prevent clumping, stirring thoroughly to combine. If using, add tomato paste now and stir well to incorporate evenly into the mixture.
- Add Broth & Deglaze: Gradually whisk in chicken broth, starting with 6 cups, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and to deglaze the bottom of the pot from any browned bits for extra flavor. Reserve any extra broth for thinning later if needed.
- Simmer with Pasta: Bring the soup to a rolling boil. Add pasta, an additional teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pot, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and pasta is al dente. Alternatively, cook the pasta separately and add afterwards.
- Finish the Soup: Remove the lid and stir in heavy cream, fresh spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the soup simmer gently for another 5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Ladle the creamy Tuscan chicken soup into bowls and serve warm, perfect for a satisfying and comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs add more moisture and flavor.
- Adding tomato paste is optional but enhances the depth of flavor and richness of the soup.
- If the soup is too thick, add a little more broth to reach desired consistency.
- Pasta can be cooked separately and added at the end to prevent overcooking if desired.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano for best flavor and melting quality.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or full-fat milk, though the soup will be less creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
