Sicilian Chicken Soup 

This hearty and flavorful Sicilian Chicken Soup is inspired by the beloved Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Chicken Soup. It's a comforting, one pot dish brimming with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and ditalini pasta. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave a nourishing meal, this soup delivers authentic Italian flavors with minimal effort.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 2 celery ribs, diced

• 2 large carrots, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (no salt added)

• 2 bay leaves

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 6 cups low sodium chicken stock

• 2 cups water

• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 cup ditalini pasta (or tubetti/orzo)

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Prepare the Soup Base: In a large (at least 6-quart) soup pot, combine the chicken thighs, diced onion, celery, carrots, red bell pepper, potatoes, diced tomatoes (with juices), bay leaves, minced garlic, chicken stock, and water. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Cook the Soup: Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

3. Add Pasta: Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Add the ditalini pasta to the pot and cook, partially covered, for 13–15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.

4. Shred the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, remove the skin and bones from the chicken thighs. Shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

5. Combine and Finish: Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Discard the bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Enjoy with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 318 kcal

• Protein: 30g

• Fat: 10g

• Carbohydrates: 24g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 5g

• Sodium: Approximately 800mg

• Cholesterol: 80mg