Italian Penicillin Soup
Make this authentic Italian Penicillin Soup with whole chicken and fresh vegetables. A comforting, healing meal perfect for cold weather or when you're feeling under the weather.
Equipment
- large stockpot or Dutch oven
- cutting board
- knife
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- stirring spoon
- tongs or forks
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken 3 to 4 pounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 celery stalks thinly sliced
- 3 carrots peeled and sliced into half-moons
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 12 cups cold water
- 1 tbsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Place the whole chicken and cold water into the pot. Add the kosher salt, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar. Simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and tender.
- Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred all the meat, discarding the skin and bones. Return the shredded chicken meat to the pot.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup back to a boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice. Taste and season with additional salt if needed before serving.
Notes
Shred chicken while still warm for easier handling. Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.