This Tuscan Chicken Soup is a true game-changer for your weeknight dinner rotation! Creamy, savory, and packed with Italian-inspired flavors, this soup brings together tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich, comforting broth. Best of all, it comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Effortless: From pot to table in just 30 minutes – perfect for those evenings when you’re running low on time but still want something homemade and satisfying.
  • Flavor Powerhouse: The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasonings, and Parmesan creates an incredibly rich flavor profile that tastes like it’s been simmering all day.
  • One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pot, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum enjoyment.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: This soup has something for everyone – protein, vegetables, pasta, and a creamy broth that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil: These little flavor bombs provide intense tomato taste and wonderful texture. The oil they’re packed in adds an extra layer of seasoned goodness to the soup.
  • Olive oil: Creates the foundation for sautéing the aromatics and building flavor from the ground up.
  • Yellow onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic base that becomes mellow and adds depth when cooked.
  • Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor and adds richness and body to the broth.
  • Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic brings that unmistakable pungent flavor that’s essential in Italian-inspired cooking.
  • Chicken broth: Forms the backbone of our soup, bringing savory depth and helping to create a unified flavor.
  • Whole milk: Adds creaminess and richness without making the soup too heavy like cream might do.
  • Italian seasoning: This herb blend typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram – the classic flavors of Italian cuisine.
  • Garlic powder: Provides a more mellow, rounded garlic flavor that complements the fresh garlic.
  • Salt and pepper: The essential seasonings that bring all the other flavors into focus.
  • Rotisserie chicken: A massive time-saver that adds tender, pre-cooked protein with minimal effort.
  • Spinach: Adds color, nutrition, and a slight earthiness that balances the richness of the soup.
  • Pasta: Small shapes cook quickly and are perfect for spoon-friendly eating in soups.
  • Parmesan cheese: Brings a salty, nutty finish that ties everything together and adds beautiful richness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This Tuscan Chicken Soup is deliciously versatile. Here are some ways to make it your own:

  • Vegetable Boost: Add diced carrots, celery, and bell peppers with the onions for extra nutrients and color.
  • Protein Swap: Replace chicken with Italian sausage or white beans for a different protein profile.
  • Creamy Upgrade: Use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of milk for an even richer soup.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the pasta with gluten-free varieties or use cooked rice.
  • Extra Greens: Try kale or swiss chard instead of spinach for heartier greens with different textures.

How to Make Tuscan Chicken Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Flavor Base

Use a fork to pull 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes from their jar, setting them aside. Heat 1 tablespoon of the seasoned oil from the sun-dried tomatoes along with 1 tablespoon of regular olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften and turn translucent.

Step 2: Build the Aromatics

Add your sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for two minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning. This step is crucial as it blooms the flavors and releases their aromatic compounds.

Step 3: Create the Soup Base

Pour in the chicken broth and milk, then add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Add the Main Components

Once simmering, add your rotisserie chicken, chopped spinach, and pasta to the pot. Allow everything to simmer together until the pasta reaches your desired tenderness, about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.

Step 5: Finish with Cheese

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully incorporated and melted into the soup. This final touch adds incredible richness and depth of flavor.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Pasta Timing: If you’re not serving the soup immediately, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual bowls when serving. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much broth and becoming mushy.
  • Tomato Technique: Chop the sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces if you prefer them more evenly distributed throughout the soup.
  • Flavor Booster: Save the remaining oil from the sun-dried tomato jar – it’s fantastic for drizzling on bread, salads, or other dishes.
  • Cheese Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-grated for the best melting and flavor. The stabilizers in pre-grated cheese can prevent smooth melting.
  • Seasoning Check: Taste before serving and adjust salt as needed – the saltiness of your broth and Parmesan can vary significantly.

How to Serve

This Tuscan Chicken Soup is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own, but here are some perfect pairings to elevate your dining experience:

Bread Options

Serve with crusty Italian bread, garlic bread, or homemade focaccia for dipping into that delicious broth.

Salad Pairings

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette makes the perfect counterpoint to the rich soup.

Garnishes

Sprinkle extra Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil on top for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavor actually improves overnight as the ingredients have time to meld.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, though you may want to slightly undercook the pasta if you know you’ll be freezing it. Freeze in portion-sized containers for easy future meals.

Reheating

Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of broth or water when reheating as the pasta will continue to absorb liquid. Microwave individual portions on medium power, stirring halfway through heating.

FAQs

  1. Can I use dried sun-dried tomatoes instead of oil-packed?

    Yes, but you’ll need to rehydrate them first. Soak in hot water for about 30 minutes until softened, then drain and proceed with the recipe. You’ll also need to add an extra tablespoon of olive oil since you won’t have the flavored oil from the jar.

  2. My soup is too thick. How can I thin it out?

    Simply add more chicken broth or milk until you reach your desired consistency. Remember that the soup will continue to thicken as it sits because the pasta absorbs liquid, so you may want to keep it slightly thinner than you prefer initially.

  3. Can I make this soup vegetarian?

    Absolutely! Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and replace the chicken with cannellini beans or chickpeas. You might want to add extra herbs like basil or oregano to boost the flavor profile.

  4. Is there a dairy-free alternative for this recipe?

    You can substitute the whole milk with unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk (the carton kind, not canned). The soup won’t be quite as creamy, but still delicious. For the Parmesan, use a dairy-free alternative or nutritional yeast for a similar savory note.

Final Thoughts

This Tuscan Chicken Soup truly captures the essence of comfort food with an Italian twist. It’s the perfect balance of convenience and homemade goodness – quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for company. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, tender chicken, and spinach in a creamy, Parmesan-infused broth creates a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try tonight – your taste buds will thank you!

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Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe

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  • Author: Evelyn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soups
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
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Description

This Tuscan Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the richness of rotisserie chicken, the creaminess of milk, and the tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes. Packed with nourishing spinach and al dente pasta, it’s perfect for a hearty family dinner or a cozy evening meal. Simple to prepare, this one-pot recipe is a must-try for anytime comfort food with an Italian twist.

 

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil with Italian herbs, julienned or chopped
  • 1 Tbsp of the seasoned olive oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar*

Base

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste

Liquid Ingredients

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Additions

  • 2 cups pulled rotisserie chicken meat
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 8 oz. small bite-size pasta (e.g., macaroni or shells)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sun-Dried Tomatoes
    Use a fork to pull 1/2 cup of the sun-dried tomatoes out of the jar. Set them aside to be used later.
  2. Heat the Oils
    Pour 1 tablespoon of the seasoned olive oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar into a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the regular olive oil and combine.
  3. Cook the Onion
    Add the chopped yellow onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Garlic
    Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and minced garlic. Cook the mixture for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently to combine the flavors.
  5. Incorporate Liquid Ingredients
    Pour in the chicken broth and whole milk into the pot. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add Chicken, Spinach, and Pasta
    Stir in the pulled rotisserie chicken, chopped spinach, and bite-size pasta. Continue simmering for around 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to tender perfection.
  7. Finish with Parmesan
    Add the grated parmesan cheese to the pot. Stir until the cheese has melted and is fully incorporated into the soup.

Notes

  • If you cannot find sun-dried tomatoes packed in seasoned olive oil, substitute with 1 tablespoon of regular olive oil.
  • For a dairy-free version, you can replace whole milk with almond milk or coconut milk.
  • To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 365
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 940
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 24
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
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Hey, I'm Evelyn! I'm a home cook with a passion for fun, real recipes that make my kitchen my happy place. Dive in and share the flavor of my everyday foodie adventures!

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