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Italian Penicillin Soup (Soothing Chicken Brodo)

A close-up of a white bowl filled with hot italian penicillin soup, featuring shredded chicken and topped generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
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This is Carla’s comforting Italian take on the classic cold remedy soup, featuring a rich, homemade chicken broth perfect for recovery or a chilly day.

Ingredients

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  • 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs), cut into pieces
  • 2 large carrots, roughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 4 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 Parmesan cheese rind (optional, for depth)
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 8 cups cold water
  • 1 cup small pasta like pastina or stelline
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken pieces, carrots, celery, onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, and salt into a large stockpot.
  2. Add the cold water, ensuring the chicken is covered. If using, add the Parmesan rind.
  3. Bring the water slowly to a simmer over medium heat. Do not let it boil rapidly. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during the first 15 minutes.
  4. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let the broth simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and falling off the bone. This slow simmer creates the best authentic chicken broth for colds.
  5. Carefully remove all the chicken pieces and set them aside to cool. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding the vegetables and aromatics. You now have your simple brodo di pollo.
  6. Shred the cooled chicken meat, discarding the skin and bones.
  7. Bring the strained broth back to a gentle simmer. Add the small pasta and cook according to package directions, usually 5-8 minutes, until al dente.
  8. Return the shredded chicken meat to the pot during the last minute of cooking to heat through. Taste the soup and adjust salt if needed.
  9. Serve immediately in warm bowls, topping each serving generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for savory Italian comfort food flavor.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients. This healing Italian soup relies on a good broth base.
  • If you do not have a Parmesan rind, you can skip it, but it adds a wonderful umami note to the broth.
  • If you are feeling unwell, skip the pasta and just enjoy the restorative chicken broth itself.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/italian-penicillin-soup-recipe/