Description
Comfort meets flavor in this one-pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup, blending hearty ingredients with Mediterranean warmth. Rich, velvety broth and tender chicken create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Base:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 oz Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan (freshly grated)
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) farfalle (bowtie pasta)
- 1 cup (170 grams) frozen peas
- 3 cloves garlic (minced or crushed)
- 1 tablespoon chopped Calabrian peppers (optional)
Liquid and Seasoning Components:
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 15 ounces (425 grams) low-fat ricotta (1 3/4 cups)
- 1/2 cup milk
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Initiate the cooking process by searing ground chicken in a spacious pot over robust heat. Allow the meat to develop a golden-brown exterior without disturbance for several minutes.
- Crumble the chicken into smaller fragments, ensuring complete cooking while incorporating aromatic Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and optional Calabrian peppers. Toast the spices briefly to intensify their fragrance.
- Deglaze the cooking surface with chicken broth, carefully scraping accumulated caramelized remnants from the pot’s bottom. Pour in remaining broth and introduce farfalle pasta, covering and allowing gentle simmering until pasta reaches perfect tenderness.
- Simultaneously prepare a velvety ricotta emulsion by combining dairy elements with bright citrus notes. Utilize a food processor or immersion blender to create a silky, uniform sauce seasoned with black pepper and lemon zest.
- Remove pot from heat, incorporating frozen peas to slightly reduce temperature. Gently fold ricotta mixture and grated Parmesan into the soup, creating a luxurious, creamy consistency that harmonizes all ingredients.
- Transfer to serving vessels, embellishing with optional garnishes like additional Parmesan, fresh basil, Calabrian peppers, or a zesty lemon accent. Maintain gentle warmth if not immediately serving to preserve optimal texture and temperature.
Notes
- Swap ground chicken for turkey or plant-based crumbles to accommodate different dietary preferences and protein needs.
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente by checking texture frequently during simmering to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal texture.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting Calabrian pepper quantity or replacing with milder alternatives like red pepper flakes for sensitive palates.
- Create a dairy-free version by substituting ricotta with cashew cream or silken tofu blended with nutritional yeast for similar creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg