Description
Creamy parmesan cajun chicken pasta soup brings spicy southern comfort to your table. Louisiana-inspired flavors meld with hearty pasta and tender chicken, creating a soul-warming dish that satisfies deep hunger and craves warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 8 ounces pasta (such as ditalini or shells; use gluten-free if needed)
- 6 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (use gluten-free for gluten-free version)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional)
- Cayenne, salt, and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear seasoned chicken in hot oil until golden, achieving a crisp exterior and ensuring even cooking throughout the protein.
- In the same pan, caramelize aromatic vegetables, developing a rich flavor base through gentle sweating and releasing natural sugars.
- Introduce fragrant herbs and spices, allowing them to bloom and intensify their essence within the vegetable mixture.
- Create a liquid foundation by combining chicken broth, returning seared chicken to the pot, and incorporating tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce for depth.
- Add pasta directly into the bubbling liquid, allowing it to cook and absorb the surrounding flavors while maintaining a perfect al dente texture.
- Extract chicken from the soup, carefully slice or shred the meat into tender morsels, then reintegrate into the simmering liquid.
- Transform the soup’s character by stirring in heavy cream and grated Parmesan, creating a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Elevate the final dish with bright citrus notes from fresh lemon juice, and garnish with verdant herbs like parsley and green onions.
- Calibrate the seasoning with a touch of cayenne, salt, and freshly cracked pepper to harmonize all flavor components.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, allowing the complex layers of Cajun-inspired comfort to shine through.
Notes
- Spice Level Customization: Adjust Cajun seasoning and cayenne to match your heat tolerance, creating a personalized soup experience.
- Pasta Cooking Tip: Add pasta towards the end to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente texture.
- Protein Flexibility: Easy to swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or keep vegetarian by using plant-based protein alternatives.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Soup can be prepared in advance and reheated, with flavors developing even more intensely overnight.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Remove pot from heat before adding cream and Parmesan to prevent separation and ensure smooth consistency.
- Garnish Options: Fresh herbs like parsley and green onions add brightness and visual appeal to the rich, creamy soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg