Italian Penicillin Soup: Easy Comfort When Sick

When you need quick, soothing soup that feels like home, this version delivers warm, garlicky broth with tiny pasta and shredded chicken—built for simple prep and easy digestion. Pair it with a soft slice of bread like this Italian herb cheese bread recipe for an all-in-one comfort meal.

Essential pantry ingredients

Stock your kitchen with basic items that make the soup fast and reliable. Use low-sodium chicken broth, small star or pastina pasta, cooked shredded chicken, onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Lemon and freshly grated Parmesan brighten the bowl without extra effort. These staples keep the recipe true to the simple, comforting intent of Italian Penicillin Soup.

Simple stovetop method

Start by softening diced onion, carrot, and celery in a drizzle of olive oil until translucent. Add minced garlic briefly, then pour in warm chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in pastina and cook until tender, then fold in shredded chicken and finish with lemon juice and plenty of cracked black pepper. Keep steps short and sequential so the soup is ready in about 20 minutes.

Quick tips to keep it easy

Use rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken to skip shredding time. Frozen mirepoix or pre-chopped vegetables speed prep further. If you prefer a hands-off approach, prepare the base in a slow cooker on low for a few hours, then add pasta near the end. These shortcuts preserve the comforting profile while keeping the process simple.

Flavor variations and dietary swaps

Maintain the familiar garlic-lemon-parmesan profile while swapping ingredients to suit needs. For a lighter bowl, replace some chicken with white beans for texture; for vegetarian comfort, use vegetable stock and omit the chicken. Fresh herbs like parsley or a pinch of crushed red pepper change the tone without complicating the recipe.

Serving and pairing suggestions

Serve the soup hot with a squeeze of lemon and extra grated Parmesan on the side. For heartier bowls, add a green salad or a cheesy bread; one easy option to serve alongside is this creamy Italian sausage rigatoni when you need more substantial fare for the table. Keep portions small if appetite is low—this soup is designed to be gentle and comforting.

When to make this bowl

Make this soup on chilly evenings, during busy recovery days, or whenever you want a fast, warming meal with minimal cleanup. Its short cook time and forgiving ingredients mean you can prepare it with pantry staples and leftover chicken, keeping the process as effortless as the eating experience.

Conclusion

For a classic take on the same comforting pastina-and-chicken concept, try the detailed nonna-style version at Italian Chicken Pastina Soup (aka Italian Nonna’s Penicillin Soup) for extra notes and family tips. If you want another tested recipe format, see the step-by-step entry at Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe – Allrecipes.