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 Protein
- 4 oz pancetta, diced
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra richness)
Grains and Starches
- 1½ cups egg noodles (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Herbs & Spices
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 tsp fresh thyme)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pancetta: In a large pot, cook pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the pancetta drippings in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until softened, adding olive oil if the pancetta drippings aren’t sufficient to cook the vegetables evenly.
- Make Roux: Stir in all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux, which will help thicken the soup.
- Add Broth: Slowly whisk in chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Simmer Soup: Add shredded chicken, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer to blend the flavors.
- Cook Noodles: Stir in egg noodles and cook until tender, approximately 8 to 10 minutes, depending on noodle type.
- Add Cream and Pancetta: Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese if using, and the reserved crispy pancetta. Heat through gently without boiling to keep the cream from curdling.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the soup with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine when sautéing the vegetables.
- Substitute pancetta with thick-cut bacon if pancetta is unavailable.
- Leftovers tend to thicken in the fridge—add extra chicken broth when reheating to reach desired consistency.
- Make it 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