Description

This Creamy Chicken Soup with Pasta and Spinach is a rich and comforting dish combining tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and creamy cheeses to create a hearty and delicious meal. Perfect for warming up on a cool day, this soup features tender ditalini pasta, fresh spinach, and flavorful cheeses that melt into a velvety broth.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

1 lb (450g) cooked, shredded, or chopped chicken breast (or rotisserie chicken)
4 cups (1l) low-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
2 garlic cloves, minced

Cheese and Cream

1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup heavy cream

Other Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper, to taste
2 cups uncooked ditalini pasta (or any other small pasta)
2 cups chopped spinach
1/2 cup parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Sauté Vegetables and Chicken: In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, celery, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Sauté the vegetables until they are tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Then add the cooked chicken and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring regularly to combine the flavors.
Add Liquids and Cream Cheeses: Pour in 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth along with 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 cup softened cream cheese. Stir everything together until the cream cheese is mostly dissolved. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a boil, then let it cook for 15 minutes to meld the flavors and soften the vegetables further.
Simmer Pasta and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low, then add 2 cups of uncooked ditalini pasta and 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese. Simmer the soup, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked to your liking (usually about 8–10 minutes). Towards the end of the cooking, stir in 2 cups chopped spinach and cook until the spinach is just wilted.
Season and Serve: Taste the soup and season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and fresh black pepper to your preference. Ladle the creamy chicken pasta soup into bowls and garnish with optional 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting bowl of creamy goodness.

Notes

You can use rotisserie chicken for ease and extra flavor.
Substitute ditalini pasta with any small pasta shape like elbow macaroni or small shells.
For a lighter version, reduce the heavy cream or substitute with half-and-half.
Adding parmesan cheese at the end adds a lovely sharp flavor and extra richness.
Keep stirring towards the end to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy chicken soup, chicken pasta soup, spinach soup, comforting soup recipe, easy chicken soup, ditalini pasta soup