Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 3 lbwhole chicken
neck and giblets reserved for another use
- 10 cwater
- 2 tspkosher salt
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 1yellow onion
peeled and diced
- 4 smallcarrots
peeled and diced
- 4ribs celery
trimmed and diced
- 1 tbspgarlic powder
or use 6–8 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tspdry thyme
- 1 tspcrushed red pepper flakes
- ½ csun-dried tomatoes in oil
drained and chopped
- 8 cchicken broth
from above
- 1 cdry ditalini
- ½ cheavy cream
more if desired
- 4 ozbaby spinach
roughly chopped
- 1lemon
juiced
- ¼ cfinely grated parmesan cheese
for garnish
- 16fresh basil leaves
for garnish
- salt and pepper
Directions
Make the broth (see note):
- 1
Place the chicken in a large pot and cover with water by 1 inch. Add the salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- 2
Remove the chicken from the pot and transfer to a bowl. Turn the heat on the broth to medium and low boil for 15–20 minutes or until the liquid reduces down to about 8 cups. Strain the broth through a sieve into a large bowl. Wipe out the pot and return it to the stovetop.
- 3
Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, pick the meat from the bird and shred or dice into bite-sized pieces. Reserve the skin for another use (like snacking on it or frying it up for a crispy garnish) and reserve the carcass for stock if you like.
Start the soup:
- 1
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 8–10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- 2
Add the garlic powder, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute.
- 3
Add the sun-dried tomatoes along with a teaspoon or two of the tomato oil from the jar. Cook for 1 minute more.
Simmer the soup:
- 1
Pour in the broth and add the shredded chicken. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Cook the pasta:
- 1
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ditalini and cook for 1-2 minutes under al dente. Drain.
Finish the soup:
- 1
Taste the soup once more. Stir in the cooked ditalini, heavy cream, and baby spinach. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and season a final time. Turn off the heat.
To serve:
- 1
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and a few basil leaves. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper, if you like. Enjoy!
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Soup
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About this Recipe
Craving a comforting bowl of warmth that truly satisfies? This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Soup is your answer, designed to chase away the chill on even the coldest days.
Why This Soup Will Be Your New Winter Favorite
What makes this chicken soup so special is the luxurious blend of flavors and textures. The rich, savory notes of tender chicken are beautifully complemented by the sweet-tart intensity of sun-dried tomatoes, all enveloped in a silky, creamy broth. It’s a heavenly winter soup recipe that feels both hearty and elegant, transforming a simple chicken soup into an extraordinary meal.
Imagine a spoonful of this decadent soup: you’ll first taste the comforting chicken broth, deepened by aromatic vegetables like onion, carrots, and celery. Then comes the burst of tangy sun-dried tomatoes, balanced by a hint of spice from crushed red pepper flakes. Tender ditalini pasta adds delightful texture, while fresh spinach wilts in at the end, providing a vibrant touch. The final squeeze of lemon brightens every bite, creating a harmonious and utterly delicious experience.
Customization & Variations
This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Soup is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. For an extra kick, feel free to add a bit more crushed red pepper flakes. If you prefer a richer, more indulgent soup, you can increase the amount of heavy cream. The recipe suggests either garlic powder or fresh minced garlic cloves, so choose whichever you have on hand or prefer for a more pungent garlic flavor. You can also vary the garnishes—while Parmesan and basil are exquisite, a sprinkle of fresh parsley would also be lovely.
This hearty soup is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or as a substantial main course for a family gathering. Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread for dipping, making it an ideal meal to warm you from the inside out.