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Chicken Pastina Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 107 reviews

This comforting Chicken Pastina Soup combines tender diced chicken, finely chopped vegetables, and delicate pastina pasta simmered in a flavorful reduced-sodium chicken broth, finished with parmesan cheese and a hint of lemon juice for brightness. Perfect for a cozy meal, it is kid-friendly and easy to prepare, making it a wholesome option for the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup diced)
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 cup diced)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6–8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)

Protein and Pasta

  • 1 1/2 cups finely diced chicken (leftover chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • 1 cup pastina pasta (tiny star-shaped pasta)

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and sauté vegetables. In a large pot over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion, celery, carrot, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5 to 8 minutes.
  2. Add broth and bring to simmer. Pour in 6 to 8 cups of reduced-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
  3. Add diced chicken and simmer. Stir in the finely diced chicken into the simmering soup. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the soup to cook gently for 20 minutes to meld flavors and cook the chicken through.
  4. Cook pastina just before serving. When ready to serve, add 1 cup of pastina pasta to the soup and cook until tender but still slightly firm to the bite (al dente), about 6 to 8 minutes. If making the soup in advance, do not add the pastina until serving time to avoid overcooking and thickening.
  5. Finish with cheese, lemon, and seasoning. Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice, if using. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • This soup thickens as it sits. For the best results, add the pastina just before serving. If the soup is prepared ahead, add extra broth to thin it out if needed.
  • Chop the vegetables finely for better taste and a kid-friendly texture that complements the small pastina pasta.
  • Use leftover chopped chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken to simplify preparation.
  • When serving to babies, choose a no salt added broth to limit sodium, and adjust salt later for other family members.

Keywords: Chicken Soup, Pastina, Comfort Food, Easy Soup, Kid-Friendly Soup, Chicken Pasta Soup

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/chicken-pastina-soup-recipe/