The Best Italian Penicillin Soup Healing Bowl

A warm, simple bowl to soothe and heal.

introduction

This soup is warm, clear, and bright. It comforts when you feel sick and fills you when you are tired. The soup uses simple kitchen items and cooks fast. It tastes like home.

why make this recipe

• It helps soothe a sore throat and stuffy nose.
• It cooks with simple ingredients you may already have.
• It makes a full meal with chicken and pasta.
• It is light but filling and easy to digest.

how to make The Best Italian Penicillin Soup Healing Bowl

1. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until soft.
2. Add garlic and cook for one minute.
3. Brown the chicken briefly.
4. Add chicken broth and herbs, then simmer until chicken cooks through.
5. Take out the chicken, shred it, and put it back.
6. Add pasta and cook until tender.
7. Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
8. Serve hot with grated Parmesan.

Ingredients :

• 1 lb Chicken breast
• 2 Bay leaves
• 2 medium Carrots
• 2 stalks Celery
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1 medium Onion
• 1 tsp Oregano, dried
• 1/4 cup Parsley
• 1 tsp Thyme, dried
• 6 cups Chicken broth
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh
• 1 cup Pasta
• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 Parmesan cheese

Directions :

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery, and sauté until softened.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add chicken breast and cook until browned.
4. Pour in chicken broth, add bay leaves, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Remove the chicken, shred it and return it to the pot.
7. Add pasta and allow to cook until tender.
8. Stir in lemon juice and parsley before serving.
9. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

how to serve The Best Italian Penicillin Soup Healing Bowl

• Serve it hot in a deep bowl.
• Add grated Parmesan on top.
• Offer extra lemon wedges and cracked black pepper at the table.
• Pair with crusty bread or simple toast if you want more to eat.

how to store The Best Italian Penicillin Soup Healing Bowl

• Fridge: Cool the soup and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze without the pasta for up to 3 months. Thaw and add fresh pasta when reheating.
• Reheat gently on the stove until warm. Add a little broth if it is too thick.

tips to make The Best Italian Penicillin Soup Healing Bowl

• Cut vegetables small so they cook evenly.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
• If you like more broth, add extra chicken broth.
• Add pasta near the end so it does not get mushy.
• Taste and add salt at the end if your broth is salty.

variation (if any)

• Use small pasta like pastina or orzo for a classic feel.
• Swap chicken with cooked turkey or rotisserie chicken.
• For more heat, add a pinch more red pepper flakes.
• Make it vegetarian: use vegetable broth and add white beans for protein.

FAQs

Q: Can I use leftover cooked chicken?
A: Yes. Add shredded cooked chicken in step 6 and warm it through.

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Yes. Sauté the veg first, then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low 4–6 hours. Add pasta in the last 30 minutes.

Q: What pasta works best?
A: Small shapes like pastina, orzo, or ditalini work best. They fit the spoon and cook fast.

Q: Can I skip the lemon?
A: The lemon brightens the soup but you can skip it. Add a splash of vinegar if you want acid.

Q: Is this soup good for kids?
A: Yes. It is mild and simple. Leave out red pepper flakes for kids.

Conclusion

For a warm, simple version of this classic, see this detailed take on the dish from a small food blog: Italian Chicken Pastina Soup (aka Italian Nonna’s Penicillin Soup). For another clear recipe and tips, you can read this straightforward guide on Allrecipes: Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe.