Description
This One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is the cozy comfort food you didn’t know you needed. Packed with flavor, it’s a creamy, hearty soup that comes together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner when you want something filling yet light, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
If you love soups that are easy to make, full of flavor, and don’t require hours of prep, this One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is for you. It’s light yet creamy, rich in flavor from the Italian herbs, and the ground chicken gives it just the right amount of protein to make it satisfying without feeling heavy. Plus, the best part? It all comes together in one pot, so there’s less mess and less stress.
I make this recipe on busy weeknights when I want something warm and comforting without a lot of effort, and I know you will love it too.
Ingredients
I’ve shared the key ingredients below, but you’ll find the full list, including exact measurements, down at the bottom of this post.
- Ground chicken
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Dried Italian herbs (like basil, oregano, and thyme)
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh spinach
- Parmesan cheese
Directions
1. Cook the Ground Chicken
In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once it’s no longer pink, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed, and toss in the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften and the kitchen starts smelling amazing. This is where the flavor starts to build.
3. Add the Liquids and Seasonings
Once the veggies are soft, return the ground chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, and add the Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
4. Stir in the Cream
Now for the creamy part—pour in the heavy cream and stir until everything is well combined. You’ll see the soup turn into a rich, velvety texture. Let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes to thicken up a little.
5. Add the Spinach and Parmesan
Finally, stir in the fresh spinach and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. The spinach will wilt right into the soup, and the cheese will melt into the creamy broth, giving it a rich, indulgent finish. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Serve the soup hot, with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy. This is perfect for dipping crusty bread into or pairing with a light salad on the side.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Don’t skip the simmering step—letting the soup cook for a few extra minutes allows all the flavors to meld together.
- If you like your soup a little thicker, you can add a splash more cream or even a small spoonful of cream cheese to make it extra creamy.
- To save time, you can use pre-chopped vegetables or even frozen spinach if you’re in a pinch.
- Feel free to add in any other vegetables you have on hand, like zucchini or bell peppers, to bulk it up.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Protein: Swap out the ground chicken for turkey, or for a more indulgent twist, try ground sausage for extra flavor.
- Dairy-free version: To make this soup dairy-free, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and skip the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables to give the soup a little heat.
- Vegetarian option: Skip the chicken entirely and use plant-based protein like lentils or chickpeas for a vegetarian version of this creamy soup.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This creamy Italian soup is so satisfying on its own, but if you’re looking to make it a full meal, I recommend pairing it with a simple salad of mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette. Crusty bread or garlic bread is a must for dipping into the soup—it adds a nice crunch and complements the creamy broth. For something a little more decadent, serve it alongside a slice of cheesy garlic bread or focaccia.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply heat on the stove over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up as it tends to thicken when stored.
This soup also freezes beautifully! Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.
4 FAQs
1. Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop. Just make sure to store it in the fridge and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy it.
2. Can I use a different kind of broth?
Absolutely! If you prefer, you can use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a lighter option or to make it vegetarian.
3. What can I serve with this soup?
A simple side salad, some crusty bread, or even a grilled cheese sandwich would be perfect to enjoy alongside this creamy soup.
4. Can I make this soup spicy?
Yes! If you like a little heat, you can add red pepper flakes to the soup or even use a spicy sausage in place of the ground chicken.
Conclusion
This One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is comfort in a bowl, with a rich, velvety texture and loads of flavor. It’s simple enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough for company too. Best of all, it’s made in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re feeding your family or meal prepping for the week, this soup is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection!
Print
One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, One Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired, American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is the perfect comforting meal for any day of the week. Rich and creamy with savory Italian flavors, this soup is easy to make and only requires one pot—making cleanup a breeze. Packed with ground chicken, veggies, and a hint of Parmesan, it’s a satisfying dish that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Cook the Ground Chicken
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned and cooked through, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add a bit more olive oil if needed and toss in the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
3. Add the Liquids and Seasonings
Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Add the chicken broth, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
4. Stir in the Cream
Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Let the soup simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, thickening slightly.
5. Add Spinach and Parmesan
Stir in the spinach and Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the soup.
6. Serve
Serve the soup hot, garnished with extra Parmesan, if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread or a light salad on the side.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground chicken with ground turkey or even Italian sausage for added flavor.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, swap the heavy cream for coconut cream and skip the Parmesan.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for more variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 90mg