If you’re craving a comforting, rich, and hearty meal that comes together effortlessly, this One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s every bit as soothing as it sounds, packed with savory ground chicken, fresh veggies, and a luscious creamy broth that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Best of all, it’s all made in a single pot, saving you time on cleanup while delivering maximum flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple yet flavorful ingredients that work harmoniously to build the perfect balance of taste, texture, and vibrant color. Each component plays a supportive role—from the tender ground chicken providing protein, to the fresh vegetables adding crunch, sweetness, and earthiness, to the creamy finish that rounds everything out beautifully.
- 1 lb ground chicken: A lean protein that cooks quickly and soaks up all those amazing Italian flavors.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps brown the chicken and soften veggies while adding a subtle richness.
- 1 medium onion, chopped: Adds a sweet and aromatic foundation to the soup.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses a gentle heat and depth of flavor that’s essential in Italian cooking.
- 1 large carrot, diced: Brings natural sweetness and lovely bursts of color.
- 2 celery stalks, diced: Adds freshness and a slight crunch that balances the creaminess.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: A classic Italian herb that enhances the savory notes in the dish.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil: Adds a fragrant, slightly sweet herbal touch cherished in Italian cuisine.
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle kick of warmth if you like a bit of spice.
- 4 cups chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that brings everything together.
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free): Creates the luscious texture that defines this creamy soup.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds umami depth and a savory richness that melts into the broth.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential for seasoning and balancing all the flavors.
- 2 cups fresh spinach (optional): A bright, nutritious green tossed in at the end for freshness.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish): Brings a pop of color and a fresh herbal lift when serving.
How to Make One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Ground Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook it until it’s nicely browned and broken apart, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step builds flavor and ensures your chicken is tender and well seasoned from the start.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables
Next, toss in the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onions begin to turn translucent. This mix brings natural sweetness and an inviting aroma that signals your soup is well on its way.
Step 3: Add the Italian Herbs and Spices
Stir in the dried oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Allow these herbs to cook for about a minute, releasing their oils and boosting the overall flavor profile with that unmistakable Italian flair.
Step 4: Simmer with Chicken Broth
Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a simmer. Let the soup gently bubble for 10 to 15 minutes so the vegetables soften fully and the flavors marry beautifully, creating a deeply satisfying broth.
Step 5: Make It Creamy
Now for that creamy magic—stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the soup thickens slightly and the cheese melts into the broth, giving you that rich, velvety texture you crave.
Step 6: Season and Add Greens
Season with salt and pepper to your taste. If you’re adding spinach, fold it in now and stir until it wilts just a bit, lending freshness and a bit of green vibrancy to the bowl.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Remove the pot from heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving. This final touch brightens the flavors and makes the soup visually inviting.
How to Serve One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley is simple but effective, adding a fragrant herbal note and a lively pop of green. You could also experiment with a dash of extra Parmesan or a drizzle of good-quality olive oil for layered flavor.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty Italian bread or garlic breadsticks, perfect for dipping into that creamy broth. A light, crisp salad on the side can also balance the meal nicely, cutting through the richness with vibrant freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in rustic bowls with a small slice of Parmesan crisps or herb focaccia on the side. For a fun twist, ladle the soup into hollowed-out bread bowls for an especially cozy and inviting presentation that makes mealtime feel special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup tends to thicken as it chills, so adding a splash of broth or water when reheating helps bring it back to the perfect consistency.
Freezing
This One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup Recipe freezes beautifully. Transfer cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top, and freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing if you’ve added spinach, as its texture changes after freezing.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a little broth or cream to loosen the texture as it warms. It’s best enjoyed fresh but thoughtfully reheated leftovers still taste delicious and comforting.
FAQs
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream or any plant-based cream alternative and use nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan substitute to keep it creamy and flavorful without dairy.
What can I substitute for ground chicken?
Ground turkey, lean ground pork, or even ground beef can be used if you prefer. Keep in mind that flavors and cooking times may vary slightly, but the soup will still be wonderfully tasty.
Is this soup spicy?
The recipe is gently spiced only if you use the optional red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust or omit the flakes to suit your family’s spice preference.
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Try adding diced zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers for additional color and nutrition. Just add them along with the other vegetables so they have time to cook through.
How thick should the soup be?
This soup should have a creamy, slightly thickened broth—not quite as dense as a chowder but more substantial than a clear broth soup. Adjust the cream and broth quantities as needed to get your perfect consistency.
Final Thoughts
Making this One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup Recipe is like inviting a bowl of cozy Italian comfort into your home with minimal effort but maximum reward. From its velvety texture to its fresh herb aroma, it’s a dish that warmly satisfies and nourishes. I really hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that feels like a hug from the inside out and always deserves a spot on your dinner rotation.
Print
One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any day. Made with ground chicken, fresh vegetables, Italian herbs, and a rich creamy broth, it comes together easily in just one pot for a hassle-free cooking experience. The soup is hearty yet light, with fresh spinach added for a nutritious boost and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for an authentic Italian touch.
Ingredients
Meat and Oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach (optional, for added greens)
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids and Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for a dairy-free version)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the ground chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot and sauté for another 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
- Add herbs and spices: Stir in the dried oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to fully soften.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes until the soup thickens slightly.
- Season and add spinach: Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add the spinach if using. Stir until the spinach wilts.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.
- Crushed red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.
- Spinach adds a fresh, nutritious element but can be omitted if desired.
- This soup reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
