1 Delicious Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Pesto.
Need a soul-warming soup that’s both easy and delicious? Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Pesto is your answer! This cozy dish is packed with tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and a burst of flavor from pesto. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a relaxing weekend lunch, it’s a guaranteed way to chase away the chill.
1 Delicious Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Pesto
Description
1 Delicious Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Pesto.
As the weather cools, there's nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup to warm you from the inside out. Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Pesto is your answer to cozy comfort food. This simple yet flavorful dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a relaxing weekend lunch.
Tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and the vibrant kick of pesto come together to create a delightful experience.
A Fusion of Textures and Flavors
This soup's beauty lies in the delightful contrast between its ingredients:
Hearty Chicken: Shredded or cubed cooked chicken breasts or thighs form the protein base. Leftovers work equally well, adding a deeper layer of flavor.
Crisp Cabbage: This versatile vegetable adds a pleasant crunch and a touch of sweetness. Green cabbage is the classic choice, but Savoy cabbage offers a milder taste.
Vibrant Pesto: The star of the show! Pesto infuses the soup with a burst of herbaceousness and a delightful garlicky punch. Store-bought pesto works well, but homemade pesto allows for customization based on your preference.
Flavorful Vegetables: Chopped carrots, onions, and celery are commonly added for extra flavor and texture. Feel free to explore other options, like zucchini or potatoes for a more vibrant soup.
Savory Chicken Broth: This forms the base, providing a foundation for all the other ingredients to shine. Use store-bought broth or create your own for an extra layer of homemade goodness.
Easy Steps to Simmering Success.
Creating this soul-warming soup is a breeze. Here's what you'll need:
Cooked chicken (1-2 pounds, shredded or cubed)
Green cabbage (½ head, thinly sliced)
Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
Onion (1 large, chopped)
Carrot (1 large, chopped)
Celery (1 stalk, chopped) (optional)
Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
Chicken broth (6 cups)
Pesto (â…” cup)
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
The Simmering Steps:
1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Introduce the Vegetables: Stir in the chopped carrots and celery (if using) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
3. Embrace the Garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, releasing its fragrant aroma.
4. Broth Bonanza: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
5. Chicken Time: Add the cooked chicken to the simmering broth.
6. Cabbage Crunch: Stir in the sliced cabbage and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the cabbage reaches your desired level of crispness.
7. Pesto Powerhouse: Finally, stir in the pesto. Start with half and taste, gradually adding more to achieve your desired flavor intensity.
8. Seasoning Symphony: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Fresh Finish (Optional): For a touch of vibrancy, garnish the soup with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Beyond the Recipe: Customization is Key!
This recipe is a fantastic starting point, and there's plenty of room for customization based on your preferences and pantry staples:
Protein Power: Substitute other cooked proteins, like shredded turkey or chickpeas for a vegetarian twist.
Pesto Power: Explore different types of pesto, like sun-dried tomato pesto or roasted red pepper pesto for a unique flavor profile.
Vegetable Extravaganza: Add other vegetables like chopped zucchini, green beans, or potatoes for a more vibrant soup.
Spicy Kick: If you like it hot, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped fresh jalapeño pepper (seeds removed) for a touch of spice.
Leftover Love: This soup is perfect for meal prep. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully for a quick and delicious lunch.
Embrace the Comfort and Savor the Flavor
With its simplicity and versatility, Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Pesto is a delightful addition to your soup repertoire. So, grab your favorite bowl, ladle up a steaming portion of this comforting soup, and let the warmth fill you up!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Heat up some oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
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Toss in the chopped carrot and cook it, stirring often, until it softens up—about 2 minutes should do it.
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Now, add the cabbage and leek to the pot with the carrot.
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Keep stirring and cooking for another 4 minutes, or until they're softened.
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Finally, throw in the minced garlic and stir constantly for about a minute, letting its fragrant aroma fill the kitchen.
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Pour in the chicken broth, the rinsed and drained black beans, and a pinch of salt.
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Crank up the heat to medium-high and bring everything to a boil.
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Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and stir in the cooked chicken.
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Cover the pot and simmer the soup for about 8 minutes.
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You want the cabbage to become tender, and the chicken to reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (check with an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part).
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Take the pot off the heat and stir in a splash of vinegar.
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Ladle the delicious soup into 6 bowls.
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To add a burst of flavor, top each serving with a generous tablespoon of pesto!
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