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Chicken Pastina Broth

Featured in: Soups and Stews

This cozy chicken dish starts with a savory broth filled with tiny pasta, tender chicken, and colorful vegetables. Herbs and parmesan brighten it up, and it’s quick to make but tastes like it simmered all day. Whether it’s a chilly night or you need a pick-me-up, this bowl of comforting goodness will hit the spot. Add a drizzle of olive oil before serving for the perfect finishing touch.
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punchofyummy
Updated on Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:56:46 GMT
A warm bowl of chicken soup with rich broth, diced veggies, and tiny pasta, topped with herbs beside a spoon and napkin. Pin it
A warm bowl of chicken soup with rich broth, diced veggies, and tiny pasta, topped with herbs beside a spoon and napkin. | pinchofyummy.com

My grandma first showed me how to whip up this Italian Chicken Pastina Soup in her little kitchen many years back. Whenever I cook this pot of goodness, I can almost feel her next to me, guiding my hands through her famous "fix anything" soup recipe. Those tiny pastina bits swimming in rich golden broth alongside chunks of chicken and bright veggies take me right back to those special days. I'm so happy to pass our family's beloved soup onto you now.

Warmth in Every Spoonful

This soup is what I turn to when my little ones aren't feeling great or we just want something cozy. You can throw it together in about 45 minutes with basic stuff you've probably got lying around. The real trick is giving those flavors time to mix and mingle, creating the perfect bite of soft pasta, veggies, and chicken every time you dip your spoon.

Your Shopping List

  • Pastina Pasta: The itty-bitty star or rice-shaped pasta that drinks up all the tasty flavors.
  • Chicken: Save yourself some trouble and grab a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
  • Vegetables: Mild onions, celery stalks, yellow bell peppers, fresh garlic cloves and bright carrots make up the flavor foundation.
  • Chicken Broth: Make your own if you've got time, but the boxed kind works just fine too.
  • Olive Oil and Butter: Using both gives you that perfect rich taste.
  • Parmesan Rind: This was my grandma's trick for amazing depth of flavor.
  • Fresh Herbs: Grab whatever looks good - maybe some rosemary, thyme or fresh parsley.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Grate it yourself - don't use that stuff in the green can.
  • Seasonings: Just salt, pepper and some Italian herb mix to pull it all together.

Brewing Your Comfort Pot

First Things First
Warm up your biggest pot with a splash of olive oil and a pat of butter, then toss in your chopped veggies. Let them get soft and release their goodness slowly.
Create Your Foundation
Add your broth and toss in those carrots. Let everything bubble gently until your house smells incredible, around 20 minutes or so.
Smooth Move
Take out some veggie chunks to save, then blend what's left until it's smooth as silk. This gives you the creamiest, richest broth ever.
Pasta Party
Sprinkle in your tiny pasta and watch it cook into soft little bites of joy.
Mix and Mingle
Put those saved veggie bits back in with your chicken chunks. Let everything sit together getting even tastier.
Finishing Touch
Ladle into your favorite bowls, scatter fresh Parmesan and herbs on top, then add a little swirl of good olive oil.
A bowl of hearty chicken soup with carrots, noodles, and garnished with herbs, accompanied by a spoon and a slice of bread. Pin it
A bowl of hearty chicken soup with carrots, noodles, and garnished with herbs, accompanied by a spoon and a slice of bread. | pinchofyummy.com

Insider Tips

  • Choose Good Pasta: I only buy real Italian pastina because the texture really matters.
  • Be Patient: Let your soup sit off the heat for a bit and watch how the flavors get even better.
  • Waste Nothing: I toss all my Parmesan rinds in a freezer bag just for soups like this one.
  • Switch It Up: Sometimes I throw in some fresh zucchini chunks or handfuls of baby spinach.
  • Go Easy: Don't dump in too much pasta or it'll soak up all your broth.

Storing Your Leftover Goodness

Put any soup you don't eat into containers and stick them in the fridge where they'll stay good for around 4 days. When you want more, just warm it up slowly and maybe add a bit more broth if it's too thick. I wouldn't try freezing this soup though, as the pasta gets mushy when you thaw it out.

Turn It Into a Meal

This soup tastes amazing with a chunk of crusty Italian bread for dipping. I like to serve it with a simple green salad with just olive oil and lemon juice drizzled on top. Don't forget to put extra Parmesan and herb sprigs on the table so folks can doctor up their bowls just how they want.

Common Questions

  • Will other pastas work? Any tiny pasta does the job nicely here, and orzo or stelline are great choices too.
  • Can't have gluten? Look for gluten free tiny pasta or even a bit of rice works great in this soup.
  • Want a vegetarian version? Just use veggie broth instead and leave out the chicken, it still tastes fantastic.
  • Need more protein? I sometimes drop in some white beans or chickpeas for extra heartiness.
  • How to blend it? An immersion blender makes things super easy but any blender will do, just be careful with hot liquid.

More Than Just Food

This Italian Chicken Pastina Soup has grown to mean much more than just dinner in my home. It's that comforting hug when days are cold, that pick-me-up when someone's feeling lousy, and love served up hot in a bowl. I hope it brings as much happiness to your table as it has to mine. Drop me a line and tell me how you made it your own.

A bowl of chicken soup with couscous, carrots, and parsley, accompanied by a slice of bread. Pin it
A bowl of chicken soup with couscous, carrots, and parsley, accompanied by a slice of bread. | pinchofyummy.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s pastina exactly?
Pastina is super tiny Italian pasta, often shaped as stars or little balls, perfect for soups or classic comfort meals.
→ Can I prepare this soup early?
Absolutely, you can store it in the fridge for around 3 days. Just note the pasta might soak up some broth, so you may need a splash more when reheating.
→ Why call it Nonna’s Penicillin?
The nickname comes from how comforting it is. With warm broth, veggies, and pasta, it’s like a homemade way to feel better, much like grandma’s remedies!
→ Can I skip rotisserie and cook fresh chicken?
Yep, fresh chicken works great. Just cook and shred it beforehand. Using rotisserie is just a quicker option if you’re short on time.
→ What if I can’t find pastina?
Try other tiny pasta like small shells, orzo, or even broken bits of angel hair. Adjust cooking times depending on the pasta you choose.

Chicken Pastina Broth

A flavorful mix of chicken, delicate pasta, and fresh vegetables all nestled in a savory, heartwarming broth. An Italian favorite for comfort and warmth.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
80 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Soups and Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 8 Servings (8 bowls)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 4 medium garlic cloves, chopped up small.
02 3 stalks celery, chopped tiny.
03 1½ teaspoons coarse salt.
04 1 large bell pepper (yellow), diced small.
05 A rind of parmesan (optional).
06 A heaping ⅓ cup of uncooked pastina.
07 About 2½-3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken or leftovers.
08 Fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme, chopped.
09 1 pound of diced up carrots.
10 2 tablespoons of pure olive oil.
11 A big yellow onion, diced into small bits.
12 A large shallot, chopped up finely.
13 About 8 cups of chicken broth, low-sodium.
14 1 tablespoon butter.
15 Freshly grated parmesan for topping.

Instructions

Step 01

In a big Dutch pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion, bell pepper, celery, and shallot. Stir for 4-5 minutes until the onion is see-through. Add the garlic and cook another 2 minutes.

Step 02

Pour in the broth, add in the salt, carrots, and parmesan rind. Crank the heat to high for a boil, then drop it to low and let everything bubble gently for 20-25 minutes until the veggies are soft.

Step 03

Scoop out about 2 cups of the softened veggies with a slotted spoon and put them in a bowl. Remove and discard the parmesan rind.

Step 04

Grab an immersion blender to puree the pot's remaining veggies and broth until it's silky.

Step 05

Throw in the pastina, bring back to a boil, then let it simmer as long as the package says.

Step 06

Add both the reserved veggies and your chicken to the pot. Cover it up and let it sit off the heat for about 20 minutes. Taste and tweak the seasoning.

Step 07

Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with grated cheese, herbs, and a bit of ground pepper.

Notes

  1. If using a regular blender, let it cool first. Remove the lid's cap and cover the opening with a towel to avoid splatters.
  2. Want it heartier? Double the pasta amount.
  3. More broth can be added to thin it out, if needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large soup pot or a Dutch oven.
  • Immersion blender, or go with a standard blender.
  • A slotted spoon to scoop things out.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (like parmesan and butter).
  • Gluten (from the pasta).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 142
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
  • Protein: 10 g