This One-Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is a hug in a bowl! Packed with tender ground chicken, fresh veggies, and a creamy broth, it’s super comforting and satisfying.
Who doesn’t love a meal with just one pot to clean? I whip this up quickly on busy days and enjoy every warm, tasty spoonful. Perfect for a cozy night in!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Chicken: This is the star of the soup! Ground turkey is a great substitute if you want something leaner. If you’re feeling adventurous, try Italian sausage for extra flavor.
Heavy Cream: For a lighter option, consider using half-and-half or coconut milk. I’ve also made it with whole milk, which gives a nice creaminess while cutting down on fat.
Pasta: I used bow tie pasta, but feel free to swap in fusilli, shells, or any small pasta you have on hand. Just adjust cooking time according to package instructions.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan always tastes better. If you don’t have it, Pecorino Romano works too, or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
How Do I Make Sure My Vegetables Are Perfectly Cooked?
Cooking vegetables to the right tenderness brings out their best flavor. Start by sautéing onions in oil until they are translucent. Then, add carrots and celery, cooking until softened. This layering ensures all veggies are perfectly cooked.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat first, adding onions until they look clear.
- Add garlic, carrots, and celery, cooking for about 5 minutes. Stir often!
This creates a flavorful base that shines in your soup. Don’t rush this step; it makes a big difference! Enjoy your cooking!
One-Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Soup:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (such as bow tie or fusilli)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious soup takes about 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook, so you’ll enjoy a warm bowl of comforting goodness in about 40 minutes total. Perfect for a cozy dinner!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Sauté the Vegetables:
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and sauté it for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent. This step is key for building flavor!
2. Add the Flavorful Veggies:
Add the minced garlic along with the diced carrots and celery to the pot. Cook everything together for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften up a bit.
3. Brown the Chicken:
Now, increase the heat to medium-high and crumble in the ground chicken. Cook it while breaking it apart with a spoon for around 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is nicely browned. This is where your kitchen will start to smell amazing!
4. Season it Up:
Mix in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir everything together well to make sure the spices coat the chicken and vegetables evenly.
5. Add the Broth and Boil:
Pour in the chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a boil. Keep an eye on it—you want a nice boil to make the soup really flavorful.
6. Cook the Pasta:
Once boiling, add the uncooked pasta. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook according to the pasta package instructions. Check until the pasta is al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
7. Creamy Finish:
After the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and frozen peas. Let the soup heat through for another 2-3 minutes. This step makes your soup wonderfully creamy and satisfying!
8. Add Cheese:
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Keep mixing until it melts and blends into the soup, making it rich and creamy.
9. Taste and Enjoy:
Give your soup a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve it hot, garnished with red pepper flakes and extra Parmesan cheese if you like a bit of zing and flavor. Enjoy every comforting spoonful!
Can I Use Different Ground Meat in This Recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute ground turkey, beef, or even pork in place of the ground chicken. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if the meat requires more or less time to fully brown and cook through.
Can I Substitute Another Kind of Cream?
Yes, if you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a slightly lower fat content. Alternatively, for a dairy-free version, try coconut cream or a plant-based cream substitute. Just keep in mind that this might alter the flavor a bit!
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the soup (without the pasta) for up to 2-3 months. Reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to regain that creamy consistency.
Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Yes, to make this soup vegetarian, simply replace the ground chicken with a plant-based protein such as lentils, mushrooms, or a meat substitute like tempeh. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and leave out the cheese or use a vegan alternative.
