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Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Featured in Soups & Stews.

This rich Tuscan-style soup blends tender chicken thighs, bite-size pasta, and creamy parmesan broth. Tangy sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach add an extra pop. It’s flexible, so use any small pasta, rice, or even potatoes. Make-ahead friendly by storing elements separately. Ready in 35 minutes, this simple dish works for casual dinner or something a little fancy.
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Updated on Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:22:51 GMT
Creamy Tuscan chicken soup with pasta and vegetables in flavorful broth Pin it
Creamy Tuscan chicken soup with pasta and vegetables in flavorful broth | tasteofmoms.com

My go-to fix for cold weather is this Velvety Tuscan Chicken Soup. It blends old-world Italian flavors with quick preparation, giving you a bowl that seems like it's been cooking forever. The mix of juicy chicken, tiny pasta shapes, and smooth broth gets a wonderful lift from tangy sun-dried tomatoes and wilted spinach. It's my favorite way to warm up from the inside out.

I stumbled on this dish during a cooking workshop in Italy, and I've spent quite a while making it just right for home cooks. The teacher's top trick was using thighs rather than breast meat.

Key Components and Shopping Advice

  • Chicken Thighs: Grab bone-in ones for deeper flavor, skin removal is up to you
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: The oil-packed variety brings the most punch
  • Fresh Spinach: Go with baby spinach for softer texture
  • Small Pasta: Little shells work magic by holding the creamy liquid
  • White Wine: Pick something dry that you'd actually sip
  • Heavy Cream: Don't skimp on fat content for the smoothest result
Hearty Tuscan chicken soup featuring succulent chicken chunks, nutritious vegetables, and a rich, herb-seasoned broth Pin it
Hearty Tuscan chicken soup featuring succulent chicken chunks, nutritious vegetables, and a rich, herb-seasoned broth | tasteofmoms.com

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Chicken Done Right:
Thoroughly dry chicken with paper towels before adding seasonings. Don't hold back on salt and pepper. Let sit out for 15 minutes. Slice into uniform chunks after cooking. Don't waste those precious juices.
Creating Depth of Flavor:
Warm butter until it gets foamy without browning. Cook onions first until see-through. Toss in celery next for proper flavor building. Add garlic last so it won't burn. Scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon for all those tasty bits.
Making Magic with the Broth:
Pour in wine to clean the pot bottom. Let it cook down until nearly gone. Pour broth in slowly while mixing. Keep heat consistent. Sample and tweak seasoning as you cook.
Getting Pasta Just Right:
Watch timing carefully. Add different pasta sizes in stages if needed. Keep stirring to avoid clumping. Check pasta doneness frequently. Save some cooking water just in case.
Bringing It All Together:
Pour cream in gradually while stirring. Mix spinach in small amounts. Let each handful wilt a bit. Drop in sun-dried tomatoes at the end. Give a final taste for seasoning.

Getting the Right Thickness

What makes this soup special is hitting that sweet spot with consistency. After many test batches, I've learned that adding thickener bit by bit while constantly stirring helps nail that perfect texture.

My teacher from Italy always told me, "Your soup should stick to the spoon a little but still pour easily" - that's been my foolproof test for getting it right every time.

Hearty Tuscan chicken soup featuring succulent chicken chunks, nutritious vegetables, and a rich, herb-seasoned broth Pin it
Hearty Tuscan chicken soup featuring succulent chicken chunks, nutritious vegetables, and a rich, herb-seasoned broth | tasteofmoms.com

This Velvety Tuscan Chicken Soup has become what I make when family visits or friends drop by. The combo of soft chicken, just-right pasta, and silky broth makes everyone feel taken care of. It's perfect when you want comfort on chilly days or a taste of Italian countryside cooking. What makes it work is giving each ingredient attention while letting everything come together naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap thighs with chicken breast?
Sure, slice chicken breasts into thinner pieces and cook just like thighs.
→ How should I save leftovers?
Keep pasta separate from the soup to avoid sogginess. Use a slotted spoon to remove it before chilling.
→ What if I don’t want pasta?
Substitute with rice, diced potatoes, or gluten-free pasta. Adjust cornstarch for thickening if needed.
→ Do I have to use wine?
Nope! Replace it with non-alcoholic white wine or more chicken stock.
→ Is freezing this soup possible?
Absolutely. Just store the pasta apart from the broth before freezing.

Creamy Tuscan Soup

A flavorful creamy soup mixed with juicy chicken, pasta, and spinach enhanced by sun-dried tomatoes. A comforting meal in one pot.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Yield: 5 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Chicken

01 1 lb/500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
03 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Soup Base

04 1 onion, diced finely
05 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 2 large celery stalks, chopped thin
07 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
08 2 tablespoons/30g unsalted butter
09 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
10 3 cups water
11 1 teaspoon salt
12 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Finishing Ingredients

13 1 cup grated parmesan, packed tightly
14 250g/8 oz small pasta shells
15 1 cup heavy cream
16 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
17 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons of water
18 2 cups baby spinach, firmly packed

Instructions

Step 01

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken. Heat butter in a big pot on medium-high. Add chicken, cooking the first side for 3 minutes until golden, flip, and cook the other side for 2 minutes. Take out and set aside (it’s fine if it’s still raw inside).

Step 02

Lower heat to medium, then sauté garlic, onion, and celery for about 3 minutes until soft. Raise heat, pour in wine, and cook until it reduces by half.

Step 03

Pour in the stock, water, salt, and pepper. Bring it to a boil, add in the pasta, and stir occasionally to keep it from clumping. Cook it as long as the package suggests (around 10 minutes).

Step 04

Dice the chicken into small 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) pieces. As the pasta finishes, throw the chicken back into the soup to cook the rest of the way.

Step 05

Turn to low heat once the pasta is done. Stir in the parmesan until fully combined. Mix in the cream, cornstarch solution, and spinach. Keep stirring until the spinach wilts and the soup slightly thickens.

Step 06

Spoon soup into bowls. Sprinkle on sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle with a bit of their oil for added flavor.

Notes

  1. To save leftovers, keep the pasta and soup separate to prevent it from soaking up too much liquid.
  2. You can swap chicken thighs with chicken breast—just slice the breast into thinner portions.
  3. Wine gives the soup a richer flavor but can easily be replaced with more broth.
  4. Rice, potatoes, or gluten-free pasta are great alternatives to regular pasta. Adjust the cooking process to fit.
  5. If you want a less heavy version, you can switch the cream out for whole milk—reduce water by 1/2 cup and go for 1 1/2 cups of milk instead.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large pot
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • A ladle

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (parmesan, butter, cream)
  • Contains wheat (pasta)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 688
  • Total Fat: 34 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 54 g
  • Protein: 39 g