Name: Chicken and Stars Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, diced; 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced; 2 celery stalks, sliced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded; 3/4 cup uncooked stelline or star pasta; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional); Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Description

Chicken and Stars Soup is a comforting and nourishing American classic featuring tender shredded chicken, small star-shaped pasta, and a flavorful vegetable broth. This easy-to-make soup combines sautéed aromatic vegetables with chicken broth, herbs, and a hint of lemon juice for a bright finish. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s kid-friendly and can be adapted for gluten-free diets.

Ingredients

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Soup Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded
3/4 cup uncooked stelline or star pasta
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, taking care not to burn it.
Simmer Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add dried thyme, dried parsley, and the uncooked stelline pasta. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 8 minutes until the pasta is tender.
Add Chicken: Stir in shredded cooked chicken breast and continue simmering for 2–3 minutes to heat the chicken through evenly.
Season the Soup: Season with salt and pepper to taste. If using, add lemon juice for a fresh, bright flavor.
Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm for a comforting meal.

Notes

For convenience, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breast separately.
To make this soup gluten-free, substitute the stelline pasta with gluten-free small pasta shapes.
If preparing ahead, cook pasta separately and add it just before serving to prevent the pasta from becoming over-soft.