Description
Creamy Chicken Soup with Pasta and Spinach is a comforting, hearty dish made with tender chicken, veggies, and pasta in a rich, cheesy broth. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or beginner-friendly cooking, this one-pot meal delivers warmth and satisfaction in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb cooked shredded or chopped chicken breast (or rotisserie chicken)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups uncooked ditalini pasta (or any small pasta)
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- ½ cup parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the Base Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, stirring occasionally until they soften and release aroma, about five minutes.
- Add the Chicken: Stir in the cooked chicken and continue cooking for a few minutes to combine the flavors and heat the meat through.
- Incorporate the Creamy Broth: Add the chicken broth, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine, cover the pot, and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pasta: Reduce the heat and stir in the uncooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese. Let the soup simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked to your desired tenderness and the cheese has melted into the broth.
- Finish with Spinach: Add chopped spinach just before serving. Stir gently until the greens wilt, and season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top if desired.
Notes
- To save time, prep all veggies in advance and store them in the fridge. For a lower-carb version, substitute the pasta with spiralized zucchini or omit it entirely. If your soup gets too thick, simply add more broth to adjust the consistency. Cooking pasta separately is especially helpful for meal prep to avoid sogginess. Want some heat? Add a dash of Sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg