This quick, comforting chicken soup is filled with tender shredded chicken, tiny acini di pepe pasta, and fresh spinach. High-protein and ready in under 30 minutes—a perfect cozy meal any time.
Chicken Soup with Acini di Pepe
This quick, comforting Chicken Soup with Acini di Pepe and Spinach comes together in no time but tastes like it simmered all day. Tender shredded chicken, tiny acini di pepe pasta, and fresh spinach make it hearty, satisfying, and packed with protein. It’s one of my favorite cozy meals for lunch or an easy weeknight dinner. If you love hearty soups, you might also enjoy my Italian Wedding Soup and Classic Chicken Noodle Soup—both perfect for simple, nourishing meals any night of the week.
For this soup, I personally like using boneless chicken thighs because they stay tender and add a little more flavor to the broth, but chicken breasts work just fine if you prefer something leaner. Madison likes when I pack this soup in her thermos for school lunch (minus the spinach—she’s not a fan).
My Favorite Whole Wheat Pasta
You’ve probably heard me say this before, but the only whole wheat pasta my family will eat is Delallo’s. I don’t know how they do it, but the taste and texture are better than any other brands I’ve tried. I also love that their whole wheat pastas come in so many different shapes—more than any other brands I’ve seen.
Make Ahead and Storage
If you’re meal prepping, this recipe holds up beautifully in the fridge for a few days. When reheating leftovers, just stir in a splash of broth or water to loosen it up if the pasta has absorbed too much liquid.
Freezer-Friendly
It’s also a great freezer-friendly dish. You can double the batch and freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stovetop for an easy, comforting meal anytime.
Tips and Variations
Feel free to customize this soup with whatever you have on hand—try adding extra veggies like zucchini or peas, or swap the acini di pepe for orzo or pastina. However you make it, it’s a nourishing bowl everyone will love.
More Soups You Will Love
For more easy dinner ideas, check out these five Soup Recipes to inspire your next meal!
- Minestrone Soup
- Beef, Tomato, and Acini di Pepe Soup
- Escarole and Chickpea Soup
- Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
- Pasta Fagioli
Chicken Soup with Acini di Pepe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of all fat (about 1 pound total)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken bone broth, or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup Acini di Pepe, 2.5 oz
- grated Parmesan, optional for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt.
- Heat the oil in a medium nonstick pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot and garlic and sauté until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken, broth, bay leaves and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to medium-low until the chicken shreds easily, about 25 minutes.
- Discard the bay leaves, coarsely shred the chicken with two forks and return to the soup, add the pasta and cook according to package directions, adding the baby spinach at the last minute to wilt.
Last Step:
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Made in partnership with Delallo, a brand I love and use every day in my kitchen.
