Description
A rich and comforting twist on classic chicken noodle soup—crispy pancetta, tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and egg noodles simmer in a creamy broth for the ultimate cozy meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Dairy
- 4 oz pancetta, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra richness)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Pantry
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1½ cups egg noodles (or pasta of choice)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 tsp fresh thyme)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pancetta: In a large pot, cook pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot; sauté until softened. Add olive oil if the pancetta drippings aren’t enough to prevent sticking.
- Make Roux: Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux, which will help thicken the soup base.
- Add Broth: Slowly whisk in chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Simmer Soup: Add shredded chicken, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Noodles: Stir in egg noodles and cook until tender, about 8–10 minutes.
- Finish Soup: Lower heat and stir in cream, Parmesan cheese (if using), and the reserved crispy pancetta. Heat through gently without allowing it to boil to prevent curdling.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve the soup warm for the best comforting experience.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine when sautéing vegetables.
- Substitute pancetta with thick-cut bacon if preferred.
- Leftovers will thicken in the fridge—add more broth when reheating to loosen.
- Can be made dairy-free by using oat cream or coconut milk and omitting Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American