This Italian Chicken and Mushroom Soup recipe is warming to the soul and is totally easy to make a big batch of on a chilly night! Packed with flavor and hearty ingredients, you'll love this soup on fall and winter nights when all you want is something cozy and comforting.
1cuporecchiette pasta(or other small pasta shapes such as bow ties or elbow macaroni)
1cupcanned cannellini or navy beansrinsed and drained
2tablespoonsfresh rosemarychopped, or 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
2tablespoonsfresh parsleychopped
8cupsfirmly packed spinachwashed, drained, and stems removed
Instructions
Heat 4 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
Add the onion, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add the celery, and cook about 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.
Add the broth, chicken, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Place both heads of garlic on a small sheet of aluminum foil, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Wrap tightly and place in the oven to roast at 450 degrees F., about 35 to 40 minutes, or until the garlic is soft.
Meanwhile, toss the mushrooms with the remaining olive oil in a baking dish (or some more foil), place in the oven, and roast 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown, stirring once or twice during cooking to coat evenly.
Remove the mushrooms from the oven, and add to the soup. Remove the garlic from the oven, peel the cloves, and add to the soup, leaving them whole.
Add the orecchiette to the soup and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes longer, just until the pasta is al dente. Add the beans and heat through.
Add the rosemary and parsley, and stir to mix. Remove soup from the heat.