Finding meals that are both nourishing and comforting can sometimes feel like a challenge, especially when you’re looking for options that are high in protein but still easy to prepare.
This collection focuses on simple, satisfying dinners that hit all the right notes, providing that cozy feeling we all crave without sacrificing nutritional value. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need something gentle yet fortifying.
Whether you’re catering to picky eaters, recovering from surgery, or simply want a healthy soup dinner, these recipes are designed to be straightforward and delicious. We’re talking about meals that are easy to digest, packed with essential nutrients, and incredibly satisfying. Get ready to discover your new go-to comfort food that supports your health goals.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Comforting High-Protein Chicken and Pasta Soup
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This high-protein chicken and pasta soup is a nourishing and comforting meal, perfect for busy weeknights or when you need something gentle yet fortifying. It’s easy to prepare, packed with essential nutrients, and incredibly satisfying, making it ideal for picky eaters, post-surgery recovery, or a healthy soup dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Saute the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. You’ll notice the onions becoming translucent and the carrots slightly tender.
2. 2. Infuse with garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; it should smell sweet and aromatic, not acrid.
3. 3. Build the base: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, then add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans, and the undrained diced tomatoes. Stir everything together well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
4. 4. Add herbs and bring to a simmer: Stir in the dried thyme and dried rosemary. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become fully tender. The soup should be bubbling gently.
5. 5. Incorporate protein and pasta: Uncover the pot and add the cooked shredded chicken breast and the small pasta. Increase the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
6. 6. Season and serve: Taste the soup and season generously with salt and black pepper as needed. The flavors should be well-balanced and savory. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. For an extra touch, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Keywords: chicken soup, pasta soup, high protein, comfort food, easy dinner, healthy soup, weeknight meal, family friendly, digestible, meal prep
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe collection is designed for anyone seeking wholesome, high-protein meals that don’t require hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy parents who need quick healthy dinners for picky eaters, individuals on the mend looking for post-surgery meals, or anyone simply wanting a healthy soup dinner that feels like a warm hug. The beauty of these dishes lies in their simplicity and adaptability. They’re crafted to be gentle on the stomach while still delivering a robust flavor and satisfying texture. You can serve these for a weeknight family dinner, a comforting lunch, or even prepare them in advance for easy meal prep throughout the week. The focus is on easily digestible ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, ensuring a stress-free experience from start to finish.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
This section outlines all the essential ingredients you’ll need to create these comforting, high-protein meals. We focus on readily available items that are easy to find at any grocery store, ensuring your cooking experience is as smooth as possible. There are no exotic ingredients or complicated preparations here, just simple, wholesome components that come together beautifully.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1/2 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or orzo)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap out the cannellini beans for other white beans like great northern beans or navy beans. If you prefer a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth, adding an extra can of beans or some cooked lentils for protein. Any small pasta shape will work well, or you can even use broken spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand. Feel free to adjust the herbs to your liking; a bay leaf could also be a nice addition. When it comes to broth, opt for low-sodium varieties to control the salt content, and you can always add more to taste.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for maximum efficiency, ensuring you can get a delicious, healthy meal on the table without spending your entire evening in the kitchen. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when time is of the essence but you still want a homemade, nourishing dinner.
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this comforting, high-protein soup is straightforward, and these steps will guide you through the process with ease. Pay attention to the visual cues to ensure every stage is perfect.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. You’ll notice the onions becoming translucent and the carrots slightly tender.
- Infuse with garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; it should smell sweet and aromatic, not acrid.
- Build the base: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, then add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans, and the undrained diced tomatoes. Stir everything together well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add herbs and bring to a simmer: Stir in the dried thyme and dried rosemary. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become fully tender. The soup should be bubbling gently.
- Incorporate protein and pasta: Uncover the pot and add the cooked shredded chicken breast and the small pasta. Increase the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and season generously with salt and black pepper as needed. The flavors should be well-balanced and savory. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. For an extra touch, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This versatile high-protein soup can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions, making it a true family favorite. For kid-friendly ideas, you can use fun-shaped pasta like alphabet pasta or small shells. If your children are sensitive to textures, you can blend a portion of the soup (before adding the chicken and pasta) to create a smoother base, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Adding a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or a swirl of cream cheese can also make it more appealing to younger palates, offering a milder, creamier texture.
For those who enjoy a little more flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten up all the flavors beautifully. You could also stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for an extra boost of greens. When serving, a crusty piece of whole-grain bread or a side salad makes for a complete and satisfying meal. This soup is also excellent for a buffet-style gathering; simply keep it warm in a slow cooker and let guests serve themselves. Optional toppings like croutons, a drizzle of pesto, or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast can add extra layers of flavor and texture.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but knowing what to look out for can help you achieve perfect results every time. One frequent mistake is overcooking the pasta. Small pasta shapes cook quickly, so keep a close eye on it and taste frequently during the last few minutes of cooking. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and lose its appealing texture. Another common error is not seasoning enough. Broth, even low-sodium, can sometimes taste bland without proper seasoning. Make sure to taste the soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference. Remember that the flavors will develop as the soup simmers, so a final taste test is crucial.
Burning the garlic is another easy slip-up. Garlic cooks very quickly, so add it after the other vegetables have softened and cook it for only about a minute until it’s fragrant. If it turns dark brown, it will taste bitter and can ruin the flavor of the entire soup. Lastly, ensure your beans are thoroughly rinsed and drained. This removes the starchy liquid from the can, which can sometimes give the soup an off-flavor or cloudy appearance. A quick rinse under cold water is all it takes to avoid this.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This high-protein soup is fantastic for meal prep and stores beautifully, allowing you to enjoy comforting meals throughout the week. To store leftovers, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this soup freezes exceptionally well. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
When reheating, if the soup has been refrigerated, you can gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If it’s frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating, or reheat directly from frozen in a pot over low heat, adding a splash of extra broth or water if it seems too thick. The pasta might absorb some liquid and soften slightly upon reheating, but the overall texture and flavor will remain very good. To make it ahead, you can prepare the soup up to the point of adding the pasta and chicken, then store the base. When you’re ready to eat, simply bring the base to a simmer, add the chicken and pasta,
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
