Skip to content

Parmesan Infused Summer Minestrone Soup with Shredded Chicken and Orzo

Video Title: Parmesan Infused Summer Minestrone Soup with Shredded Chicken and Orzo
Video Duration: 1:39
Go local, and seasonal, with this satisfying summer soup! The classic Italian minestrone gets added flavour here with the addition of Parmesan rind.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 45 min
Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ cup diced onion
½ cup sliced leeks, white and light green parts only
½ cup diced celery
¼ cup diced carrot
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tsp kosher salt
2 cups zucchini or yellow squash, ¼ in dice
1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
Parmesan rind, thumb size chunk
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
½ cup cooked small white beans
½ cup cooked orzo
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken (great to use leftovers)
salt and pepper to taste
fresh basil or parsley to garnish
grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish, optional

Food Safety

Before you start, wash all surfaces and your hands with soap and warm water, and remember to wash your hands, utensils and cutting boards after they touch raw meat or eggs. Avoid cross-contamination by using a different cutting board for your meat and other ingredients. Make sure you’re cooking to safe temperatures and chilling any leftovers within two hours. For more food safety tips, visit our Food Safety at Home Section.

Steps

  1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large, thick-bottomed pot on medium high. Add the diced onion, leeks, celery, and carrots.

  2. Sweat for 8 to 10 minutes until softened, lowering the heat to medium to prevent browning.

  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute.

  4. Add the chicken stock, bay leaf and thyme. Increase heat to bring to a simmer, then add the zucchini, green beans and Parmesan rind.

  5. Heat to boiling and then lower the heat to maintain a steady simmer.

  6. Cook for 10 minutes until the vegetables are cooked through. Remove the bay leaf and parmesan chunk.

  7. Stir in white beans, cooked orzo, tomato and shredded chicken. Heat to warm through.

  8. Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and basil or parsley.

Nutrition Info

Per 301 g serving Amount
Calories190
Protein13 g
Fat5.0 g
Saturated Fat1.0 g
Carbohydrate23 g
Fibre4 g
Sugar5 g
Cholesterol20 mg
Sodium530 mg
Per 301 g serving % Daily Value
Potassium450
Calcium50
Iron1.25