Description
This Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish, combining tender ground chicken with a rich blend of cream, herbs, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a cozy meal, it features a creamy texture with melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, enhanced with Italian seasoning and a touch of heat from optional red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins & Dairy
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Cook the ground chicken: Add the ground chicken to the pot and break it apart with a spoon, cooking until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Then remove and set aside.
- Sauté onions: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine chicken with aromatics: Return the cooked ground chicken to the pot, stirring to mix with the softened onions and garlic.
- Add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring well to combine. Follow with the heavy cream and whole milk, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Season the soup: Sprinkle in the dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add cheeses: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted, then add the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir again until creamy and smooth.
- Cook vegetables: Add the chopped spinach, diced carrot, and diced celery to the pot. Continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Final seasoning adjustments: Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired for balanced flavor.
- Serve : Ladle the hot, creamy soup into bowls and serve immediately for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef for the ground chicken if preferred.
- For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or use only milk.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley or thyme can enhance freshness.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of broth or add a slurry of cornstarch and water.
- If you prefer less heat, omit the red pepper flakes entirely.
- Serve with crusty bread or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy chicken soup, Italian chicken soup, ground chicken soup, comfort food, creamy soup, Italian herbs soup
