Chicken Minestrone

overhead shot of bowl of soup on a tray with garlic bread nearby, a spoon full of soup is resting on the bowl.

This easy chicken minestrone soup mixes up in minutes with just five basic ingredients. It's delicious and filling without feeling heavy, perfect any time of year for lunch or dinner.

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 281kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Cost: $10

Equipment

heavy stockpot

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cup frozen stew vegetables, mirepoix, or mixed veggies
24 oz your favorite spaghetti sauce
4 cup water or chicken stock or vegetable broth if you like
2 cup chicken (cooked and cubed)
15 oz cannellini beans or garbanzos (chick peas)
1 cup small pasta such as elbows or shells
salt and pepper

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the veggies and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cup frozen stew vegetables, mirepoix, or mixed veggies, salt and pepper
Add the spaghetti sauce. Rinse the jar out with the water and add to the pot. Cover and bring to a low boil. Stir in the pasta. Bring to a simmer and cook until al dente.
24 oz your favorite spaghetti sauce, 4 cup water, 1 cup small pasta
Stir in the chicken and beans and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2 cup chicken (cooked and cubed), 15 oz cannellini beans

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate and based on ⅙ the recipe. Promptly refrigerate leftovers and consume within 4 days.

Recipe Tips

If you prefer, you can increase the flavors in this comforting soup by adding homemade chicken stock or vegetable broth, as well as a rind of parmesan cheese and/or red pepper flakes.
Don’t overcook the pasta. Noodles in soup will soften as they absorb the broth. Instead be sure to cook it to al dente.
If making this soup in advance, boil the pasta separately and store it in a separate airtight container in the fridge. Then add the pasta right before serving.

Serving Suggestions: I consider this a one-dish dinner, served with garlic bread or rolls. However if you like, you can include it as a side dish to sandwiches or salad.

How to Make a Meal Prep: This chicken minestrone makes a great easy lunch! If making more than a day in advance, consider cooking and storing the pasta separately, refrigerating until ready to serve. Then add the noodles to the soup and enjoy!

Make a Plan for Leftovers: Leftover soup is good for up to 4 days in the fridge. If you store leftovers in clear air-tight containers you’re more likely to notice them and make sure they get eaten. If you don't want the noodles to bloat too much, freeze the soup as soon as it's chilled.

Freeze Extras for Later: To freeze: chill the soup completely before storing in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition