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Italian Penicillin Soup: The Ultimate Healing Comfort Food

Close-up of a white bowl filled with warm penicillin soup featuring shredded chicken, sliced carrots, egg noodles, and fresh parsley.
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This Italian Penicillin Soup recipe provides the soothing warmth you need when you feel unwell. It is a light, easy-to-digest meal featuring tender chicken, small pasta, and bright lemon, making it the best soup for colds and flu recovery.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup small pasta (pastina, acini di pepe, or orzo)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Add the chicken pieces, oregano, and thyme to the simmering broth. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  5. Add the small pasta to the pot. Cook according to the pasta package directions, usually 6 to 10 minutes, until tender.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  7. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian or vegan version, substitute the chicken broth with high-quality vegetable broth and omit the chicken, perhaps adding white beans for substance.
  • This soup freezes well. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Add a little extra broth when reheating, as pasta absorbs liquid.
  • If you prefer a smoother texture, you can puree half of the cooked vegetables with some broth before returning them to the pot.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/penicillin-soup-italian-comfort-recipe/