Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe

There’s something magical about the moment when your favorite comfort food gets reimagined into something completely new yet wonderfully familiar. That’s exactly what happened the first time I ladled this Chicken Parmesan Soup into bowls for my family. The kids took one look at those gooey cheese strings and declared it “the best soup ever!”

This isn’t just any ordinary soup; it’s like having all the cozy satisfaction of chicken parmesan without the fuss of breading and frying. Every spoonful delivers tender chunks of chicken, rich tomato broth, perfectly cooked pasta, and that irresistible combination of melted mozzarella and parmesan that makes Chicken Parmesan Soup so beloved. It’s comfort food that hugs you from the inside out.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chicken Parmesan Soup has become my go-to for busy weeknights when I want something that feels special but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. The rich, tomatoey broth tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but it comes together in just 45 minutes. Plus, it’s incredibly forgiving, uses simple ingredients you probably already have, and creates enough leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch (trust me, it tastes even better the next day).

Hearty Chicken Parmesan Soup

A soul-warming bowl that captures all the beloved flavors of Chicken Parmesan Soup in a comforting, one-pot soup. Rich tomato broth, tender chicken, and plenty of melted cheese make this the ultimate cozy dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ large onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons (33g) tomato paste
• 4 cups (2 14.5-ounce cans) chicken broth
• 2 14-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
• 4 ounces (about 1⅓ cup) penne or favorite pasta for soup
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ heaping teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded (white or dark meat works perfectly)
• ½ cup (2oz) shredded Parmesan
• 1 cup (4oz) shredded mozzarella, divided
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Build the flavor base. In a large pot with a lid, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until they begin to soften and turn translucent around the edges, about 5 minutes. This is where the magic starts, so don’t rush this step.
2. Add the aromatics. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until the garlic becomes fragrant and just starts to turn golden, about 1 minute. Now comes my favorite part: add the tomato paste and cook it, stirring frequently, until it begins to stick and caramelize on the bottom of the pan, 1 to 2 minutes. This creates incredible depth of flavor.
3. Create the soup base. Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes, scraping up all those beautiful caramelized bits from the bottom of the pot. These little brown bits are pure flavor gold, so make sure you get them all incorporated.
4. Simmer and add pasta. Cover the pot and bring everything to a gentle simmer, adjusting the heat as needed. Let it bubble away for 8 minutes to develop the flavors. Add the pasta, basil, and oregano, then cover again and cook until the pasta reaches that perfect al dente texture, 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Finish with chicken and cheese. Stir in your cooked chicken and parmesan cheese, heating everything through until the chicken is warmed and the parmesan melts into the soup. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
6. Serve with cheesy goodness. Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese. Watch it melt into those gorgeous cheese strings that make this soup so irresistible!

Recipe Notes

Tomato options: You can use canned diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier texture. For canned whole tomatoes, give them a quick pulse with an immersion blender or chop them by hand before adding.

No cooked chicken? No problem! Chop 2 medium raw chicken breasts (about 1 pound), season with salt and pepper, and lightly brown them in the olive oil before adding the onions. The chicken will finish cooking with the soup.

Pasta perfection: Any short pasta works beautifully here. Rotini, shells, or even small elbows are excellent alternatives to penne.

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
Calories: 419
Sugar: 6.6g
Sodium: 1,392mg
Fat: 16.2g
Saturated Fat: 7.3g
Carbohydrates: 30.0g
Fiber: 2.9g
Protein: 38.1g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Delicious Variations and Substitutions

Make it lighter: Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce the cheese by half for a lighter version that’s still incredibly satisfying.

Dairy-free option: Skip the cheese or use your favorite dairy-free alternatives. The soup is still wonderfully flavorful without it.

Vegetarian twist: Replace the chicken with white beans or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Spice it up: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for those who like a little heat with their comfort food.

What Are My Best Tips for Chicken Parmesan Soup Success?

After making this soup countless times, I’ve discovered a few secrets that guarantee perfect results every time. First, don’t skip caramelizing the tomato paste – this step adds incredible depth that you simply can’t get any other way.

Second, use good-quality crushed tomatoes; they’re the backbone of your soup’s flavor. Finally, add the mozzarella just before serving to get those perfect cheese pulls that make this soup so Instagram-worthy and delicious.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This soup keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store it in airtight containers, and don’t worry if it thickens up – that’s completely normal. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it back to your preferred consistency.

Heat gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. The pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so feel free to add more broth as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

This Chicken Parmesan Soup is the kind of recipe that transforms an ordinary weeknight into something special. It’s a go-to recipe that will become a staple in your weekly rotation, bringing all the comfort of classic chicken parmesan to your soup bowl. The combination of rich tomato broth, tender chicken, and melted cheese creates pure comfort food magic.

Ready to make soup magic happen? Leave a comment below and tell me how your Chicken Parmesan Soup turned out! Share this recipe with a friend who loves cozy soups, and don’t forget to check out my other comforting soup recipes for more weeknight inspiration.