Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup
A quick and cozy creamy Tuscan chicken soup made with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a velvety blend of cottage cheese and Parmesan. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for comforting dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (small-curd)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat for about 2 minutes until shimmering but not smoking.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden but not burnt.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to infuse the oil.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, about 5 minutes.
- Add shredded chicken, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to marry flavors.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cottage cheese and heavy cream gently until mostly dissolved.
- Fold in the fresh baby spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still vibrant green.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Serve hot immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Avoid burning garlic to prevent bitterness. Stir cottage cheese in gently over low heat to avoid clumping. Use an immersion blender for a silky texture if desired. If soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or water. For dairy-free, substitute cream and cottage cheese with coconut cream and plant-based cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cu
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken soup, easy chicken soup, comfort food, spinach soup, sun-dried tomato soup, quick dinner, creamy soup