Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup Recipe

If you’re craving comfort in a bowl, look no further than this Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup—a soul-soothing meal that tastes like an Italian trattoria in your own kitchen! This dish brings together tender ground chicken, bowtie pasta, zippy Calabrian peppers, vibrant peas, and a luxuriously creamy ricotta and parmigiano sauce brightened with lemon. Each spoonful is a delightful mix of hearty, tangy, and subtly spicy flavors, making it the perfect pick-me-up for chilly nights or family gatherings. Whether you’re new to homemade soups or a seasoned cook, you’ll love how easy and satisfying this recipe is.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup lies in its simple, flavorful ingredients—each one plays a key role in layering taste, texture, and appealing color. From the savory chicken to the zesty lemon, these staples unite to create a truly memorable bowl.

• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken to build a delicious base flavor.
• Ground Chicken: Lean but hearty, it absorbs the Italian spices beautifully and delivers protein-packed comfort.
• Italian Seasoning: Classic herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme bring aromatic, rustic notes to the soup.
• Garlic: Minced or crushed garlic injects warmth and an unmistakable Italian essence.
• Calabrian Peppers (optional): Lend a gentle kick and vibrant red color—use more or less to suit your heat preference.
• Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth: Forms the body of the soup while letting the other flavors shine, and cuts down on saltiness.
• Farfalle or Bowtie Pasta: Fun, kid-friendly noodles that hold onto all that creamy sauce.
• Frozen Peas: Sweet pops of green that add color, freshness, and a subtle bite.
• Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan: Freshly grated, it melts into the soup, amplifying that umami savoriness.
• Low Fat Ricotta: Creaminess without heaviness—a secret to making the soup silky and smooth.
• Milk: Lightens the ricotta for a pourable, luscious sauce that blends into the broth.
• Lemon Juice & Zest: Brightens the whole dish, balancing the richness with a refreshing zing.
• Black Pepper: A finishing touch that adds mild heat and depth.

How to Make Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Start by heating your Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high. Add the olive oil, swirling to coat the bottom. Once shimmering, drop in the ground chicken. Here’s my tip: let it sit undisturbed for 3–4 minutes to really brown one side—this gives amazing flavor! Then, break it into crumbles and cook until no longer pink.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

To your fully cooked chicken, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, then add the garlic and Calabrian peppers. Stir well and let everything sizzle for 30–60 seconds—the aromas will let you know you’re on the right track!

Step 3: Add Pasta and Broth

Pour in a few tablespoons of chicken broth to deglaze the pot and collect all those lovely browned bits. Now, toss in your farfalle pasta and the rest of the broth. Give a stir, cover, and allow it to cook for 10 minutes, stirring every 3–4 minutes so nothing sticks.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Ricotta Sauce

While the pasta simmers, blend ricotta, milk, lemon juice, and zest together (a food processor or immersion blender works wonders). This transforms the cheese into a pourable, velvety sauce that’s key for the Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup experience.

Step 5: Finish with Peas, Ricotta Sauce, and Parmesan

Once the pasta is al dente (about 10 minutes in), turn off the heat and lift off the lid. Stir in the frozen peas—they’ll defrost quickly and brighten up the soup, while cooling it a bit before adding the dairy. Pour in the ricotta sauce, blend well, and stir through the parmesan until everything is silky and glossy.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Ladle your Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup into bowls while it’s piping hot. Top with extra parmesan, a sprinkle of Calabrian peppers, black pepper, fresh basil, and a squeeze of lemon juice if you love tang. If you’re not serving right away, just keep it on low heat so it stays creamy and warm.

How to Serve Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup

Garnishes

A soup this special deserves a little flourish! Finish each bowl with a shower of freshly grated parmesan, a dash of Calabrian chilis for heat, cracked black pepper, torn basil leaves, and that irresistible squeeze of lemon. These additions don’t just look pretty—they wake up every flavor in the bowl.

Side Dishes

Pairing Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup with crusty Italian bread or some grilled ciabatta brings out its rustic roots. For a bigger meal, add a crisp green salad dressed with balsamic and olive oil, or even some roasted vegetables on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

Try ladling the soup into warmed mugs for a cozy fireside snack, or serve it in shallow pasta bowls topped with a swirl of pesto. For a dinner party, float a few tiny mozzarella balls and scatter microgreens on top for elegance—the options are endless when serving Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let leftover Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup cool completely, then store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb some liquid, so expect a slightly thicker soup, which is almost like a creamy pasta the next day (still absolutely delicious!).

Freezing

For best results, freeze the soup before adding the ricotta sauce—simply cool, portion, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw, reheat gently, and then add freshly blended ricotta and lemon. If you freeze with the dairy, stir well upon thawing, as the soup may separate but will come back together with a gentle mix.

Reheating

Warm your leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. If the soup has thickened, add a bit more milk or broth to loosen it up. For single portions, the microwave works too—just heat in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until velvety and hot.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey will give you a slightly different flavor but keeps the soup lean and protein-rich. Just follow the same steps as with ground chicken for great results.

Is it ok to use other pasta shapes?

Definitely—while farfalle adds visual charm and holds the creamy sauce well, any short pasta like fusilli, rotini, or shells would work perfectly in Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup.

What can I use instead of Calabrian peppers?

If you can’t find Calabrian peppers, try using a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a gentle heat. For a milder kick, chopped roasted red peppers also make a lovely addition.

Can I make this soup fully vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the ground chicken for your favorite plant-based crumbles or some hearty mushrooms, and use vegetable broth. You’ll still get that creamy, flavorful comfort.

How do I keep the soup from curdling when adding the ricotta sauce?

Adding the sauce off the heat and after stirring in frozen peas helps cool the soup slightly, which prevents the parmesan and ricotta from separating. Blend your sauce smooth beforehand for the silkiest results.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably joyful about sharing a pot of Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup—it’s comfort food with a modern Italian twist that always hits the spot. Whether you bring it to the table for family dinner or serve it as a heartwarming lunch, give this cozy soup a try and let its creamy, zesty flavors become a new favorite in your kitchen!

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