This comforting chicken parmesan soup is a delicious and quick dinner solution, perfect for busy weeknights and a great addition to your soup recipes collection. It brings all the beloved flavors of classic chicken parmesan into a warm, inviting bowl, making it an instant family favorite.
Whether you’re looking for something hearty after a long day or a simple meal that pleases everyone at the table, this recipe delivers. It’s designed for ease and speed, ensuring you can get a wholesome, flavorful dinner on the table without any fuss.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Quick and Easy Chicken Parmesan Soup
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This comforting chicken parmesan soup is a delicious and quick dinner solution, perfect for busy weeknights and a great addition to your soup recipes collection. It brings all the beloved flavors of classic chicken parmesan into a warm, inviting bowl, making it an instant family favorite. Whether you’re looking for something hearty after a long day or a simple meal that pleases everyone at the table, this recipe delivers. It’s designed for ease and speed, ensuring you can get a wholesome, flavorful dinner on the table without any fuss.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Saute the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice the onion turning slightly clear, indicating it’s ready for the next step.
2. 2. Infuse with Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; it should smell sweet and aromatic, not bitter.
3. 3. Build the Flavor Base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. You’ll see small bubbles gently breaking the surface of the soup.
4. 4. Add the Chicken: Stir in the cooked, shredded or diced chicken. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, just long enough for the chicken to heat through.
5. 5. Enrich and Season: If using, stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. This step is optional but adds a wonderful creaminess to the soup. Next, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and is fully incorporated. The soup will become slightly thicker and more opaque.
6. 6. Adjust and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Remember that Parmesan cheese is salty, so add salt gradually. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: italian-american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: chicken, parmesan, soup, comfort food, weeknight dinner, easy, quick, tomato, creamy, hearty
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
You’ll adore this recipe for its sheer simplicity and incredible flavor. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the comforting taste of chicken parmesan but doesn’t have the time for a multi-step, breaded and fried dish. This soup transforms those classic elements – tender chicken, rich tomato, and savory cheese – into a warm, spoonable meal that’s ready in a flash. It’s an ideal choice for busy parents, students, or anyone craving a homemade meal without the lengthy prep. Serve it on a chilly evening, when you need a quick weeknight dinner, or even as a hearty lunch. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover cooked chicken, too, making it even more convenient.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
This recipe relies on readily available ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store. The beauty of it is that you don’t need any fancy equipment or exotic spices to achieve a truly satisfying meal. We’ll focus on fresh, simple components that build robust flavor quickly.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional, for richness)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Crusty bread or garlic bread for serving
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap out the yellow onion for a white onion or even use a tablespoon of dried minced onion if you’re in a pinch. If you don’t have fresh garlic, a teaspoon of garlic powder works well. For the chicken, rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, or you can boil and shred chicken breasts yourself. If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can omit the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, or use a dairy-free alternative for the cream. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference – omit them entirely for a milder soup, or add a little more for extra kick.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
This quick turnaround means you can go from craving a delicious, comforting meal to enjoying it in just over half an hour, with minimal effort involved.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this chicken parmesan soup is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect bowl every time, paying attention to the simple cues that tell you when each stage is just right.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice the onion turning slightly clear, indicating it’s ready for the next step.
- Infuse with Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; it should smell sweet and aromatic, not bitter.
- Build the Flavor Base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. You’ll see small bubbles gently breaking the surface of the soup.
- Add the Chicken: Stir in the cooked, shredded or diced chicken. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, just long enough for the chicken to heat through.
- Enrich and Season: If using, stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. This step is optional but adds a wonderful creaminess to the soup. Next, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and is fully incorporated. The soup will become slightly thicker and more opaque.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Remember that Parmesan cheese is salty, so add salt gradually. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This chicken parmesan soup is wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy adaptations to suit different tastes and occasions. For a heartier meal, consider adding a handful of small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo during the last 10 minutes of simmering. If you want to boost the vegetable content, stir in some fresh spinach or kale during the final few minutes of cooking until wilted.
For kid-friendly serving, you can offer a side of plain buttered noodles or rice to mix into their soup, or simply serve it with plenty of crusty bread for dipping. A fun topping bar with extra Parmesan, croutons, and even a dollop of ricotta cheese can make dinner more interactive. This soup is fantastic for a casual weeknight dinner, paired with a simple green salad. For a more substantial meal, serve it alongside garlic bread or a warm focaccia. It also makes a great addition to a potluck or buffet, as it’s easy to keep warm and serves a crowd well.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe like this, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Being aware of them will help you achieve perfect results every time.
One frequent slip-up is overcooking the garlic. Garlic burns quickly and can turn bitter, which will affect the entire flavor of your soup. To avoid this, add the garlic after the onions have softened, and cook it for only about a minute, until it’s fragrant but not browned.
Another common issue is over-salting. Remember that chicken broth and Parmesan cheese both contribute significant saltiness to the dish. It’s best to add salt gradually at the very end, after the cheese has been stirred in and you’ve had a chance to taste the soup. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away.
Finally, not letting the flavors meld is a missed opportunity. While this is a quick soup, the 10-15 minute simmer after adding the tomatoes and broth is crucial. This time allows the dried herbs to rehydrate and their flavors to fully infuse into the liquid, creating a much richer and more complex taste. Don’t rush this step!
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This chicken parmesan soup stores beautifully, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep or enjoying leftovers.
To store, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the soup for up to 2-3 months. If you plan to freeze it, it’s best to omit the heavy cream until reheating, as dairy can sometimes separate or change texture when frozen and thawed.
To reheat, gently warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If it seems too thick, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If you froze the soup, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. If you omitted the cream before freezing, stir it in during the reheating process. Avoid boiling the soup vigorously when reheating, as this can cause the chicken to become tough or the dairy to separate.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned crushed tomatoes? Yes, you can. You would need about 6-8 ripe Roma tomatoes, blanched, peeled, and crushed. However, canned crushed tomatoes offer a consistent flavor and texture that works perfectly for this quick soup.
What kind of cooked chicken works best? Any cooked chicken works well! Shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver. You can also boil or bake chicken breasts or thighs and then shred or dice them.
Is this soup spicy? The recipe includes an optional 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which adds just a hint of warmth rather than intense spice.
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
