Chicken Pasta Fazool: Warm Your Soul With This Recipe

Hey there, food lovers! I’m so excited to share one of my all-time favorite comfort food recipes with you. Today, we’re making recipe for pasta fazool made with chicken, a dish that’s basically a warm hug in a bowl. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a hearty, satisfying meal that combines tender chicken, pasta, and beans into a delicious Italian classic. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is definitely for you, I promise! So, grab your apron, and let’s get started.

Introduction to Chicken Pasta Fazool

The Appeal of a Chicken Infused Pasta Fazool Recipe

Let’s be honest, chicken pasta fazool is more than just a soup. It’s that kind of meal that just feels right, you know? It’s warm, it’s satisfying, and it’s packed with all sorts of good stuff. For me, it’s the perfect thing to cook when I want something comforting and easy, especially on a chilly evening. I think you’ll find the combination of tender chicken, hearty beans, and pasta is just chef’s kiss perfection. It is also quite adaptable, making it a wonderful choice for different tastes, also you can get creative.

Brief History and Origin of Pasta Fagioli (and a chicken twist)

So, pasta fazool, or pasta fagioli as it’s also known, has pretty humble beginnings. It’s a classic Italian peasant dish, designed to be both filling and affordable. Traditionally, it’s a simple mix of pasta and beans in a flavorful broth. The beauty of it is in its simplicity, right? I decided to add chicken to give it a little more protein and depth. It was a total game-changer! This recipe just takes that base, adds some chicken, and elevates it to a whole new level of deliciousness, making it a complete and satisfying meal. I’m sure your family will love this new twist on an old classic.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Chicken Pasta Fagioli

Fresh Ingredients Needed for Chicken Pasta Fazool

Okay, so, before we start cooking, let’s gather all our fresh ingredients. This way, the whole cooking process goes nice and smooth. You’ll need about a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs—whatever you prefer, honestly. Then, grab one medium yellow onion, a couple of carrots, and two celery stalks. I like to get these fresh, it really does make a difference, you know? You’ll need some garlic, so about three cloves. Don’t forget some fresh parsley, I think about a handful. And lastly, you’ll need one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes. Oh! And a lemon as well, the zest of that lemon will make this dish sing!.

Pantry Staples for the Best Chicken Pasta and Bean Soup

Now, let’s talk about the pantry staples. For the best chicken pasta and bean soup, these are must-haves. You’ll need:

• one 15-ounce can of cannellini beans (or any white bean you like)
• one box of ditalini pasta (or any small pasta shape)
• and four cups of chicken broth
• good drizzle of olive oil
• salt and pepper are essential
• plus a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want to add a little kick.

This is my go-to list, and it never fails me.

Step-by-Step: Cooking the Chicken for Your Pasta Fazool Recipe

Preparing the Chicken: Cubed or Shredded Options for Chicken Pasta Fazool

Alright, let’s start with the chicken for our pasta fazool recipe. You can either cube it or shred it – I personally like it cubed, but that is your personal choice, you know? If you are going with chicken breasts, cut them into about one-inch cubes, and if you are going for thighs, you can also cube them, or shred them after cooking it, which is what I usually do. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. This is important for flavor, don’t skip this step!

Searing the Chicken: Developing Depth of Flavor

Next, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the pot is hot, add the chicken and sear it on all sides until it turns golden brown. This step really develops depth of flavor. Don’t worry about cooking it all the way through; we’ll finish cooking it later in the soup. Just get a nice sear, which is key for a good flavor base.

Adding Aromatics: Enhancing the Chicken Flavor

Take the chicken out of the pot and set it aside for now. Now, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery into the pot with some olive oil and cook for around 5 to 7 minutes until the veggies start to soften. You are going for translucent, not brown. After that add in the minced garlic, and sauté for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. This is the time when I like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for that little kick. These aromatics really enhance the chicken flavor and build a solid base for our chicken pasta fazool.

Building the Flavor Base: Starting the Pasta Fazool Soup

Sautéing Vegetables: The Foundation of Rich Flavors

So, with those veggies softened and fragrant, we’re really building our pasta fazool soup. As I said, sautéing the onion, carrots, and celery is just the first step in creating our rich flavor base. I cannot stress enough how important is to take your time here and not rush it. The combination of these vegetables is what gives the soup its classic taste. After adding the garlic and red pepper flakes, you’re on your way to a delicious soup.

Adding Liquids: Creating the Brothy Base

Now for the liquids, pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes. Bring everything to a simmer. After that, add back the seared chicken. Make sure you give a good stir. Now, let the pot come to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, just to let those flavors mix together properly. This step is what makes this soup so incredibly good!

Incorporating Beans into Chicken Pasta and Bean Soup

Types of Beans: Using Cannellini or Alternatives

Okay, let’s talk beans. Cannellini beans are classic for pasta fazool, but honestly, if you don’t have any on hand, you can use great northern beans, or navy beans; these are also great options. Just make sure you drain and rinse the beans thoroughly before you add them to the pot, and if you don’t like white beans you can also use kidney or pinto. In my opinion, I am a big fan of cannellini beans they give the perfect texture for the chicken pasta and bean soup.

Cooking the Beans: Properly Adding Them to the Recipe

With the broth simmering, now it’s time to add those rinsed cannellini beans. Stir them in carefully with the chicken mixture, then let everything cook for another 10 to 15 minutes. This step is important, because it allows the flavors of the beans to infuse into the soup and makes everything taste just right. You want to make sure everything has been cooked properly, before adding the pasta.

Choosing the Right Pasta for your Chicken Pasta Fazool

Pasta Shapes: From Ditalini to Elbows

Now we talk pasta! Ditalini pasta is my go to for chicken pasta fazool, it’s that small, tube-shaped pasta and I think it’s the classic choice, it just works so well in this soup. But if you don’t have ditalini, you can definitely use elbow macaroni or even small shells. The small size of these pasta shapes makes them perfect for this type of soup, I think it’s that the best shape to get with your spoon.

Cooking the Pasta: Achieving Al dente Perfection

You need to add the pasta directly into the simmering soup. Make sure that the broth covers all the pasta, if needed add more. Now, cook the pasta according to the package directions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes, until it is al dente or to your liking. Be careful not to overcook the pasta; you don’t want it mushy. That’s it, it is that simple.

Combining All the Elements for Chicken Pasta Fagioli

Simmering the Soup: Allowing Flavors to Melds

Now, once the pasta is cooked, stir the entire soup gently and make sure all the ingredients are combined. At this point let it simmer for another 5 minutes. This is what allows those flavors to really mix together; the ingredients melding together is what makes this so incredibly tasty.

Adjusting the Seasoning of your Pasta Fazool

Now, it’s time to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to your liking. And here is my secret ingredient, just a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a bit of the zest adds a lovely brightness. Always remember that the seasoning is the most important part, so don’t be shy to add some more!

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Pasta Fazool

Garnishes: Fresh Herbs and Cheese

Now, let’s talk serving! Chicken pasta fazool is delicious on its own, but a few garnishes can make it even better. I like to sprinkle a generous amount of fresh parsley on top. Some freshly grated parmesan cheese is just perfect! For a little bit of heat, a drizzle of olive oil and extra red pepper flakes are a good addition. You can customize the garnishes, to your liking.

Pairing: Complementary Sides and Bread

When I serve chicken pasta and bean soup, I like to pair it with some crusty bread for dipping, you know. A simple side salad also goes really well, and for me, that’s my go-to combination. I just love to dip the bread in the soup to soak up all that flavorful broth. So simple yet so delicious!

Variations and Customizations of the Chicken Pasta Fagioli Recipe

Vegetarian Options: Making a Chicken Free Version

If you are trying to do a vegetarian version of the chicken pasta fazool recipe, you can totally skip the chicken. Just follow the recipe as usual, adding more vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to compensate for the loss of protein, this will still make a delicious and filling soup. You can also add a bit of extra protein by using a vegetable broth. The good thing about this recipe is that it is quite flexible, you know?

Spice Level: Adding Heat to the Soup

I like my chicken pasta fagioli with a touch of heat, so I always add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup, as you already know! But you can also use a dash of hot sauce or some chopped jalapeños if you’re feeling extra spicy. The nice thing about this recipe is that is fully customizable to your liking, so feel free to adjust to your personal preference.

Tips for Making the Best Chicken Pasta and Bean Soup

Achieving the Perfect Consistency

For the perfect consistency of your chicken pasta and bean soup, you will need to ensure that you use the right amount of chicken broth. If the soup seems too thick, add more broth until you reach your preferred consistency. I think it should be thick enough to feel hearty, but still brothy, know what I mean? On the other hand if the soup is too watery, you can always simmer it longer so it thickens up.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Some common mistakes people make are not searing the chicken properly or overcooking the pasta. Searing the chicken will build up that flavor that is the foundation of this recipe, so it is a really important step. And overcooking the pasta, will end up with a mushy soup, and nobody wants that!. Always check the pasta to ensure it’s al dente. Now you know, so make sure to follow my tips to get it perfect every time.

Storing and Reheating Your Chicken Pasta Fazool

Proper Storage Techniques: Fridge or Freezer

If you have any leftover chicken pasta fazool, just let it cool to room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, you can also freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. The nice thing is that this soup tastes even better the next day!

Reheating: Maintaining Taste and Texture of your chicken pasta and bean stew

To reheat the chicken pasta and bean stew, you can warm it up on the stovetop over medium heat. Or, you can heat it up in the microwave. If it seems a little thick after being in the fridge or freezer, add a little bit of broth before reheating it. I think this way you will be maintaining the taste and the texture just like freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Pasta Fazool

What is the difference between fazool and fagioli?

Honestly, fazool and fagioli refer to the same thing! It’s just different pronunciations for “beans” in Italian. So, whether you say pasta fazool or pasta fagioli, you’re talking about a delicious pasta and bean soup, or in our case, chicken pasta and bean soup!

What is Stanley Tucci’s favorite soup?

Many people know Stanley Tucci is a big fan of Italian food, and apparently, his favorite soup is pasta fagioli. And although he might make it in his way, the flavor is still the same! Our chicken pasta fazool is just a slightly elevated version of his favorite classic!

What is a substitute for cannellini beans in pasta fagioli?

If you don’t have cannellini beans, that’s ok. You can substitute with great northern beans, navy beans, or even kidney beans. All of these options will work just fine in pasta fagioli. Just remember to drain and rinse any canned beans thoroughly before adding them to the soup!

How long can pasta fagioli stay in the fridge?

Generally speaking, you can keep your cooked pasta fagioli in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure that it is stored in an airtight container to maintain its flavor and quality. And as I mentioned before, this soup also freezes really well!

Conclusion: Enjoying Your Homemade Chicken Pasta Fazool

A Hearty and Satisfying Meal

There you have it! You have now a delicious and hearty chicken pasta fazool, you can be proud of! It’s really such a satisfying and complete meal, perfect for those cozy nights in. I think it’s the perfect way to enjoy a classic Italian dish with your own personal twist.

Final Thoughts on Your Recipe for Pasta Fazool Made with Chicken

I truly hope that you loved this recipe for pasta fazool made with chicken as much as I do! It is really one of those recipes that I come back to time and time again because of how easy, delicious, and comforting it is. Now, it’s your time to give it a try! And please, let me know how it turned out for you. Happy cooking!

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