Description
Craving a cozy, quick dinner that feels like a warm hug? This Brodo di Pollo – Italian Noodle Soup is your go-to answer. A soothing bowl of golden chicken broth filled with delicate pasta strands and fresh herbs, it’s the ultimate comfort food — whether you’re under the weather, needing a nourishing meal, or simply craving something classic and light. Perfect for weeknights, this easy recipe also doubles as a delicious base for countless dinner ideas. Loaded with goodness, it fits beautifully into healthy snack lists, quick lunch fixes, or elegant starters for larger meals.
Ingredients
3–4 lbs whole chicken, cut into parts
12 cups cold water
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium onion, halved
4 garlic cloves, smashed
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh parsley
3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
Salt to taste
100g thin pasta (angel hair or capellini), broken into pieces
2 tablespoons fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Place chicken pieces in a large soup pot and cover with cold water. Slowly bring to a boil over medium heat, skimming off foam as it appears.
2. Once the water is gently simmering, add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaf, parsley, thyme, peppercorns, and a pinch of salt.
3. Lower the heat, partially cover, and let the broth simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours to develop deep flavor.
4. Remove chicken and solids with tongs, then strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot.
5. Bring the strained broth to a gentle simmer again. Add pasta and cook for 4–6 minutes, until tender.
6. Optionally shred and add some of the cooked chicken back into the soup.
7. Serve hot with fresh parsley sprinkled on top.
Notes
Let the broth chill in the fridge and skim off the fat for a clearer, lighter soup.
For leftovers, store the pasta separately to avoid sogginess in storage.
You can enrich the broth with shredded chicken, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil for extra body.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: easy dinner, Italian soup, chicken broth, quick lunch, healthy soup