Chicken Ditalini Flu Fighter (Printable)

Hearty chicken soup with ditalini pasta, fresh ginger, garlic, and turmeric for immune support and comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1 teaspoon fresh turmeric, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric)

→ Broth & Pasta

09 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 3/4 cup ditalini pasta
11 - 1 bay leaf

→ Seasonings & Finishings

12 - 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove from pot and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Return chicken breasts to the pot. Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
05 - Remove chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Add ditalini pasta, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until pasta is al dente.
07 - Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf.
08 - Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It actually tastes good enough to crave even when you're feeling fine, not just when you're desperate for comfort.
  • You can have it on the table in under an hour, which matters when energy is low and you just need something warm.
  • The turmeric and ginger work quietly in the background, making you feel like you're doing something intentional for your body while you eat.
02 -
  • Don't skip the bay leaf or the lemon juice—they seem optional until you taste what they actually do to balance and brighten the whole pot.
  • Fresh turmeric and ginger really do taste different from their ground versions, and on a soup that's this simple, that difference matters.
  • The pasta will continue softening even after you remove it from heat, so if you like it with some texture, pull it off the heat a minute or two earlier than you think.
03 -
  • Don't skip the searing step—that golden crust on the chicken is where the real flavor begins, and it only takes three minutes.
  • Taste and season throughout, especially after adding the lemon—it should taste bright and alive, not muddled or one-note.
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