Is there anything better than a warm bowl of soup on a chilly day? I don’t think so! And lately, I’ve been *obsessed* with this Tuscan Chicken Soup. You guys, it’s seriously good. It’s actually inspired by that famous “Marry Me Chicken,” so you know it’s gonna be packed with flavor.
This Tuscan Chicken Soup is so easy to whip up, perfect for those crazy weeknights when you just need something comforting and quick. I stumbled upon a version of this recipe years ago, and it’s been a family favorite ever since. Seriously, the kids cheer when they see it on the menu! It’s the perfect bowl of deliciousness, so trust me, you NEED this Tuscan Chicken Soup in your life!
Why You’ll Love This Tuscan Chicken Soup
Okay, so why is this Tuscan Chicken Soup about to become your new go-to? Let me tell ya:
- It’s crazy quick and easy – we’re talking weeknight dinner hero!
- Seriously flavorful and comforting – like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Uses simple ingredients – nothing fancy or hard to find.
- The whole family will gobble it up – even picky eaters!
- It’s a fun, yummy twist on classic chicken soup.
Ingredients for Tuscan Chicken Soup
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need for this amazing Tuscan Chicken Soup. Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you probably already have!
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil with Italian herbs, julienned or chopped – the kind in the jar, you know?
- 1 Tbsp of that seasoned olive oil from the sun dried tomatoes jar – don’t throw it away, it’s liquid gold!
- 1 Tbsp olive oil – just the regular kind.
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion – about one medium onion.
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste – for that rich, tomato-y flavor.
- 2 garlic cloves minced – because garlic makes everything better!
- 6 cups chicken broth – go for the good stuff if you can!
- 2 cups whole milk – makes it nice and creamy.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning – the secret weapon!
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder – more garlic? Yes, please!
- 1/2 tsp salt – to taste, of course.
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper – freshly ground is always best.
- 2 cups pulled rotisserie chicken meat – makes life SO easy!
- 2 cups chopped spinach – adds some greens!
- 8 oz small bite-size pasta like macaroni, shells, etc. – whatever you like!
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese – the real stuff, not the powdery kind!
How to Make Tuscan Chicken Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, ready to get cooking? This Tuscan Chicken Soup is seriously simple, I promise! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a pot of deliciousness in no time.
Preparing the Sun-Dried Tomatoes
First things first, grab that jar of sun-dried tomatoes. You’ll want to fish out about 1/2 cup of them. Don’t toss that oil they’re packed in! We’re gonna use it!
Sautéing the Aromatics
Now, heat up that tablespoon of seasoned sun-dried tomato oil (plus a tablespoon of regular olive oil) in a big soup pot over medium-high heat. Toss in your chopped onion and cook it for about 5 minutes, stirring every so often, until it starts to soften. Then, add in those sun-dried tomatoes, the tomato paste, and your minced garlic. Cook this for another 2 minutes, stirring pretty often, until it gets nice and fragrant. Mmm, smells amazing, right?
Building the Tuscan Chicken Soup Base
Alright, time to build the base! Pour in your chicken broth and milk, then stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir to combine everything. Now, bring it to a simmer – that means little bubbles gently popping on the surface. Don’t let it boil!
Adding Chicken, Spinach, and Pasta to the Tuscan Chicken Soup
Once it’s simmering, add in your cooked rotisserie chicken, chopped spinach, and that small pasta. Give it a stir, and let it simmer until the pasta is tender. This usually takes about 10 minutes, but keep an eye on it and test the pasta to make sure it’s cooked through. You don’t want mushy pasta!
Finishing the Tuscan Chicken Soup
Almost there! Once the pasta is cooked, stir in that glorious parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until it’s all melted and incorporated, making the soup extra creamy and delicious. And that’s it! Taste it and adjust the seasonings if you need to. Maybe a little more salt or pepper? You do you!
Tips for the Best Tuscan Chicken Soup
Okay, you’ve got the basics down, but wanna take your Tuscan Chicken Soup to the *next level*? Here are a few of my favorite tips:
- Use a really good quality chicken broth – it makes a HUGE difference in flavor, trust me!
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Nobody likes mushy soup. Keep an eye on it and test it often.
- Season, season, season! Taste as you go and adjust the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to *your* liking.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens everything up. Seriously, try it!
- No rotisserie chicken? No problem! Cooked chicken breast or thighs work great too. Just shred them up!
Tuscan Chicken Soup Variations
Okay, so you’ve made the basic Tuscan Chicken Soup, and you’re obsessed, right? Now let’s get a little crazy and mix things up! Here are some fun ways to change things up – because who says you can’t play with your food?
- Toss in some different veggies! Kale or zucchini would be amazing.
- Use a different pasta shape – farfalle or even tortellini would be yummy!
- Want some heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Careful, they’re potent!
- For extra creaminess, stir in a little cream cheese at the end.
- Make it vegetarian! Just skip the chicken and use vegetable broth. Easy peasy!
Serving Suggestions for Tuscan Chicken Soup
Alright, your Tuscan Chicken Soup is ready to rock! But what should you serve with it? Here are a few ideas to make it a complete meal:
- Crusty bread for dipping – gotta soak up all that yummy broth!
- A simple side salad – a little greens never hurt anyone.
- Garlic bread – because why not double down on the garlic?
- A grilled cheese sandwich – the ultimate comfort food combo!
Storing and Reheating Your Tuscan Chicken Soup
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Tuscan Chicken Soup is even better the next day (if that’s even possible!). Just pop it in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to 3 days, easy peasy! When you’re ready for round two, you can reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, or zap it in the microwave. Just stir it every so often so it heats evenly. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information for Tuscan Chicken Soup
Okay, so here’s the deal: nutritional info can vary *a lot* depending on the exact ingredients you use. Brands differ, you know? So, just keep in mind this is an estimate!
Frequently Asked Questions About Tuscan Chicken Soup
Got questions about this amazing Tuscan Chicken Soup? I’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked (and that *I* had when I first started making it!).
Can I freeze Tuscan Chicken Soup?
Okay, so technically, yes, you *can* freeze this Tuscan Chicken Soup. But I’m gonna be real with you – the pasta might get a little weird. It can get kinda mushy when it thaws. If you’re okay with that, go for it! Just let it cool completely before popping it in a freezer-safe container. If you *really* want to freeze it, maybe cook the pasta separately and add it after thawing and reheating!
Can I make Tuscan Chicken Soup in a slow cooker?
You betcha! Slow cookers are my best friend on busy days! Just toss everything (except the pasta, spinach, and parmesan) into the slow cooker. Cook it on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Then, stir in the pasta and cook until it’s tender (usually about 30 minutes). Add the spinach and parmesan right before serving. Easy peasy!
Can I use different types of pasta in Tuscan Chicken Soup?
Absolutely! The small pasta shapes like macaroni or shells are my go-to, but feel free to experiment! Ditalini, farfalle (bowties), or even small broken pieces of spaghetti would work great. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as different pastas cook at different rates. You don’t want mush!
Is Tuscan Chicken Soup gluten-free?
Not as written, BUT it’s super easy to make it gluten-free! Just swap out the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta. There are tons of great options out there these days! Just double-check all your other ingredients (like the chicken broth) to make sure they’re gluten-free too.
Ready to Make Your Own Tuscan Chicken Soup?
Alright, what are you waiting for?! Go make this Tuscan Chicken Soup! And hey, when you do, leave me a comment and let me know what you think! Rate the recipe, too! I wanna hear all about it!
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Devastatingly Delicious Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tuscan Chicken Soup is inspired by Marry Me Chicken. It is a soup with garlic, parmesan, sun dried tomatoes, chicken, and pasta.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil with Italian herbs julienned or chopped
- 1 Tbsp of the seasoned olive oil from the sun dried tomatoes jar
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 cups pulled rotisserie chicken meat
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 8 oz. small bite size pasta like macaroni, shells, etc.
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Use a fork to pull 1/2 cup of the sun dried tomatoes out of the jar. Set aside.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of the seasoned olive oil out of the sun dried tomato jar. Add the seasoned oil to a large soup pot over medium high heat.
- Add the regular olive oil and onion to the pot.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Add the sun dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and minced garlic.
- Cook, stirring often, for two minutes.
- Add the broth, milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Bring the liquid to a simmer.
- Add the rotisserie chicken, spinach, and pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender (around 10 minutes).
- Add the parmesan cheese. Stir until incorporated.
Notes
- Substitute regular olive oil if you cannot find sun dried tomatoes packed in seasoned olive oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the recipe
- Calories: 389kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.02g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 63mg
