Creamy Basil Parmesan Italian Soup
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound chicken breasts chopped bite size
- 2 cups uncooked small macaroni
- 3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 5 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 2 14.5 oz. cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, NOT drained, with garlic
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano. cumin, salt
- 1/4 tsp EACH red pepper flakes, pepper
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups heavy cream or half and half*
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Garnish
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
- Creamy Basil Parmesan Italian Soup tastes better than any restaurant soup! Super easy and seasoned to perfection bursting with tender chicken, tomatoes, carrots, celery and macaroni enveloped by creamy Parmesan.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven/soup pot over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook until almost cooked through. Remove to a plate.
- Melt butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in the now empty pot and heat over medium high heat. Add onions and carrots and cook, while stirring, for 4 minutes.
- Add 1 more tablespoon olive oil, celery, red bell peppers and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle in flour and cook, while stirring, for 3 minutes (it will be thick). Gradually stir in chicken stock followed by chicken, tomatoes, sugar, bay leaves and all remaining herbs and spices. Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce to a gentle simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender and chicken is completely cooked through.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth followed by heavy cream/half and half. Stir in pasta. If you would like a less “chunky” soup, stir in additional broth or cream/half and half.
- Garnish individual servings with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and basil (optional) and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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