Description
Chicken Florentine Soup is a creamy, comforting Italian-American soup loaded with tender shredded chicken, fresh baby spinach, and Parmesan cheese. This hearty recipe combines aromatic vegetables and herbs simmered in a rich chicken broth with a touch of heavy cream, making it a perfect warm meal for any day. Easy to prepare and gluten-free, it’s an ideal dinner option served with crusty bread or a side salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 1 rib celery, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Chicken and Greens
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and combined. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 1 minute until the garlic is aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer the Broth: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Incorporate Chicken: Add the cooked shredded chicken to the pot and continue cooking for another 5 minutes to warm the chicken through and infuse the soup with its flavor.
- Finish with Cream and Spinach: Lower the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh baby spinach. Allow the soup to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the soup is creamy.
- Add Lemon Juice and Season: Stir in lemon juice if desired to brighten the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot alongside crusty bread or a fresh side salad.
Notes
- To reduce the richness, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.
- Using rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut that works well in this recipe.
- For a heartier meal, add cooked pasta or rice to the soup before serving.
