Chicken Pastina Soup

A cozy and flavorful chicken pastina soup with chicken, pasta, and vegetables simmered in lemony broth. Comfort food that’s hearty, simple, and satisfying.

Also try this Hawaiian chicken, maybe paired up with air fried onion rings. I like to serve this antipasto salad as an appetizer first.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to make: Comes together quickly with basic pantry and fridge staples.
Comforting and warm: Perfect for sick days or cold weather.
Family-friendly: Mild, nourishing and loved by kids and adults alike.
Balanced and fresh: The lemon juice and herbs brighten every spoonful.

Chicken Pastina Soup Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Cooked chicken: Adds protein and makes the soup hearty and satisfying.
Chicken broth: Provides a rich, savory base for all the ingredients.
Vegetables: Onions, carrots and celery add sweetness, flavor and texture.
Stellini pasta: Tiny pasta that cooks quickly and makes each bite more comforting. (Buy it here!)
Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, tangy brightness to balance the richness.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and adding depth.
Fresh parsley: Brings color and a burst of herby freshness.
Seasonings: Salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes build layers of flavor and spice to round out the soup.

How to Make Pastina Soup with Chicken

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Sauté the vegetables: Cook the onions, carrots and celery in olive oil until the onions are translucent.
Add the chicken and seasonings: Stir in the chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer the broth: Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then simmer to meld the flavors.
Cook the pasta: Add the stellini and cook until al dente.
Finish the soup: Stir in the parsley and serve hot.

Substitutions and Variations

Use a different pasta: Try orzo or acini di pepe if you can’t find stellini.
Swap the protein: Use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey.
Make it vegetarian: Replace chicken with chickpeas and use vegetable broth.

Serving Suggestions

With bread: Enjoy some homemade classic focaccia, mushroom focaccia or soda bread with your pasta soup.
For lunch: You could pair it with an antipasto farro salad or tuna and potato salad.

How to Store Pastina

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze portions of this soup for future lunches.
Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.