Spring Chicken Soup.
I’m not really quite sure how to say this, so I’m just gonna run with it.
I actually wanted to eat asparagus. For the first time ever, I wanted to taste something green and stem-like with little weird cowlicks at the top.
That’s a lot of vegetables up there, in case you didn’t notice.
I wanted this asparagus in soup. I had visions of it’s pointy little heads swimming in broth, drizzled with olive oil and blanketed with parmesan cheese. I didn’t want to eat it in the way that you want to eat green stuff because it’s May and sandy summer shores are quickly approaching and it would be waaay too hot to trample the beach in old college sweatpants. Not sexy.
I wanted it because I thought it sounded good.
Whateverthatmeans.
So I chopped some onions and some mushrooms and even carrots and the asparagus and got some chicken and cute, tiny noodles and lots of cheese.
And I sauteed most of that stuff in bacon grease. Oh yeah… there’s that.
See? Always a silver lining here.
It was delicious. It warmed my soul, which was definitely needed since it’s been raining here since I was born. It didn’t make me want to toss my cookies. I added beans. Chubby, soft white beans. And lime. Sound weird? It’s not. It’s mandatory. Itty, bitty adorable noodles too. And pecorino romano? Please. Like you even need to ask.
This soup was light, refreshing and hearty all at the same time. It was a little smoky and a little bright; it had a touch of savory cheesiness and a pop of cilantro. Cilantro not your thing? Add some basil. Or parsley. Or tarragon. And you can skip that whole bacon thing but I’m telling you, it makes the soup. And just so you know, if that happens we may have to have words later.
Spring Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms, roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups raw spinach
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 12 asparagus spears, chopped into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 15- ounce can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 1/4 cups ditalini pasta or another short/small pasta
- the zest of half a lime
- 1/3 cup parmesan or romano cheese, grated
- for garnish: fresh cilantro, grated romano cheese, avocado, green onions, fresh baguette slices or croutons
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add chopped bacon. Cook under fat is rendered and bacon is crispy, then remove bacon with a slotted spoon and let drain on a paper towel. Add onions and mushrooms to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in garlic, carrots and asparagus and cook for 5 minutes more. Add in salt, pepper and spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in shredded chicken, beans, and chicken broth. Pour in pasta and bring soup to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to low. Stir in lime zest and cheese.
- Serve hot with additional cheese, avocado, lots of cilantro and green onions. Add a toasted baguette on the side.
- Note: feel free to add additional stock/water if desired. This recipe produces a soup with just a little broth; if you prefer more, add an additional 2 cups or so.
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
P.S. I have a cheese problem. Â But I don’t think it’s apparent or anything.
83 Comments on “Spring Chicken Soup.”
Bacon, parmesan, and veggies?! This is perfect! Healthy and indulgent at the same time. I love it! :-D
Your pictures are always so pretty! I love a good soup- any time of year. And obviously I like mine veggie PACKED, so this looks great to me. We had asparagus last night too- makes me wish it was in season/on sale for more of the year!
Thanks Erica!
I’m so proud of your vegetable eating ways:-) Even if they all get covered in cheese! Love this soup
I love soup..all of the time- even really hearty soups made just for the winter time..but I live with someone who believes soup is only for cold weather. He’s crazy!! But, this soup looks perfect to try out on him and prove that soup really is good any time of the year :)
I will be trying this recipe this weekend!! Thanks for another awesome recipe Jess!!
Ps: I’m making a big batch of your better than crack brownies (plus a few of your other recipes) for Craig’s co-workers brunch. They are paying me to cater it, and OF COURSE my go- to site for my recipes was your blog :D
I live with someone who doesn’t even like soup!
Oh my gosh! Really? Mr. How Sweet- how can you not like soup?! haha! What if it’s just soup full of chicken, steak, and ground turkey- ohhh & throw in some eggs too ;) lol!
He’d probably eat it then!
yum! this is perfect for the dreary, rainy, disgusting week we are having! I’m smacking myself that I ate all my asparagus last night…and btw loving cheese so isn’t a problem! :)
How did you know I like soup? I will seriously sweat in the middle of the summer and eat soup. It’s just so good.
Agreed.
Soup. Yum. ‘Nuff said.
-Aimee
Lovely pictures Jessica! This soup looks like spring too :)
oh the color! this sounds amazing…perfect for our health kick we’re on right now. whateverthatmeans ;)
Yum!!!!!! This looks really tasty! :D
this soup makes me feel all warm and fuzzy too!…its been raining for days
That soup looks delicious — I love the last picture with the mountain of cheese :)
Haha, it looks like it snowed on your soup.
This looks so hearty and delicious. I love chicken soup. And is there nothing that bacon can make better? :-)
Mmm! I am loving all things involving asparagus lately :)
The pasta is so cute! If you’re in the mood for other green stem-y asparagus-like veggies, you have to try fiddleheads! I wrote about them yesterday and made an omelette with mine. It didn’t contain any cheese, but I’m sure you could add that too… and fry it in bacon grease of course! http://wp.me/pSUCS-23U
Thanks girl!
mmm that sounds wonderful! there is nothing in that soup combination that i do not like. (okay, lie – i don’t really like cilantro. but parsley sounds great.)
It has been raining forever! I’m in Morgantown currently, so I’m sure we have similarly disgusting weather.
This looks really good. Bacon + cheese make veggies so, so much better. I actually do really like asparagus but I’ve never thought to put it in a soup.
I’m going to whip this up before the rain goes away, which will probably be never as long as I’m in PA.
HAHA! Love that last shot!
I am so proud of you-yeah for vegetables! :-) This soup looks and sounds amazing, Jessica! I love that you used bacon drippings to saute the veggies in. I always have a container of bacon grease in my fridge! I love that last photo of the soup drenched in cheese…that is how I roll, too! ;-)
I will be making this! This terrible Pittsburgh weather just makes ya crave soup!
Tasty, tasty. I love the addition of the lime, I’m sure it gives an unexpected but delicious punch of flavor. It’s been rainy here in NYC too :( I thought it was supposed to be warm out by now! Oh well, soup it is for a rainy day :)
I would love to dive into that pot! And I fail to see where cheese could ever be a problem. Or bacon, for that matter. :)
I’d love this soup but I’m too lazy to make it!!!! Maybe during my two week cooking extravaganza I’ll make it and freeze it for later!
that soup looks sooo awesome!!
Bacon makes everything better! This looks delish. And, what looks like a lot of cheese when you grate it on top like that totally melts into nothing so I say add more!
omg it’s beautiful! First actual picture of the soup before the ariel-ish shot….totally gorgeous! And the recipe…i adore asparagus! Wow, I am blown away by this one!
And I saw your bacon cookies on TS last night! Congrats! :)
What a light, refreshing and yummy soup! I love the flavors you used, and of course it wouldn’t be complete without bacon :) Saving this to try soon! Thanks for sharing.
It’s been pouring here for days and that chicken soup would have been PERFECT!
I also have a self-diagnosed cheese problem.
There are worse problems to have. :)
Good point.
The weather here in So Cali just got dark and dreary and cold. I wish I didn’t have a need to eat soup…ice cream maybe…but not soup. Good thing you posted this to help me through this storm… you’re like a food astrologist…did you know that I would have a cold day?
:)
oh my gosh that sounds fabulous! I would be HAPPY to eat soup in the midst of summer if it sounds and looks that good and covered in cheese :)
I’m pretty sure it’s going to start raining here in a day or two so this springy soup is perfect timing! Yay for all the veggies Jessica!
Delicious! Great soup recipe :)
I have been on an asparagus kick lately and adding it to soup sounds so perfect!
you just can’t mess up this meal can you! I love spring dishes and way to incorporate the veggies! I would def make this just minus the chicken. :)
i just found this site today…you will be my friend for life:) amazing ..truly amazing
Thanks Lori!
This.soup.looks.AMAZING. I can’t put into words how good it looks. I need to make this. Now.
I’m sorry, who is this again? Can’t be Jessica. She’s allergic to vegetables.
I actually sort of love asparagus. I know…weird.
White asparagus in cream sauce? Oh a better side dish hardly exists, I assure you.
Pretty sure I could go for some asparagus sauteed in bacon grease and bathed in all sorts of deliciousness. And topped with melty cheese. I mean, I’d fight through it to get my veggies in ;)
This looks like a chicken chili or stew?
I think it’s a little light and brothy for chili or stew, but I guess it depends on how much you load it up!
I love that the first ingredient is bacon and how the soup is covered in cheese, this looks like my kind of soup :)
I kind of really like this soup, especially with all the vegetables :) I’m just going to go with the fact that it allows me to eat more candied bacon…right?
Absolutely.
Hahahahah so now it’s been raining since you were born?? Now it’s going to be since before your mom was born!!
I can’t even think about soup right now. I’ll need to freeze dry my asparagus and thaw it out in September, when I’ll really want this soup :)
Trust me, I wish it was warm enough to not think about soup!
I love cheese!
Look at you and your ‘green intake’! I’m on an asparagus right now – this looks delicious.
That soup looks fantastic! Might have to be another must try!!
This def looks like spring in a bowl! Love it! And I totally have a cheese problem as well! :)
Not only does this soup look delicious, but your photos are gorgeous! Nice work!! :)
Thanks!
It may be a lot of veggies, but they’re used beautifully!!! This soup looks AMAZING!!