One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup is the cozy weeknight dinner I turn to when I want something warm, satisfying, and incredibly easy to pull together. This creamy, veggie-packed soup combines tender ground chicken, pasta, and Italian herbs in a rich, dreamy broth that tastes like comfort in a bowl.
I’ll never forget the first time I made this soup on a chilly Tuesday evening. I had ground chicken in the fridge, a handful of pantry staples, and zero energy for complicated cooking. What came together was pure magic. The aroma of garlic and Italian herbs filled my kitchen, and my family devoured every last spoonful. This one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup has since become our go-to comfort meal. It’s hearty enough to feel indulgent, yet light enough to enjoy any night of the week. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks in one pot. You’ll love how the creamy broth clings to the pasta shells while the spinach adds a pop of color and freshness.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need for This Cozy Italian Soup
I always start with quality ground chicken for the best texture and flavor in this one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup. Pro tip: don’t skip the fresh spinach or kale at the end. It wilts beautifully and adds nutrients without changing the flavor. If you prefer a lighter version, half-and-half works wonderfully instead of heavy cream.
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups chicken broth (I prefer low-sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale
- 1 cup medium shell pasta or any small pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Results
I recommend using a large Dutch oven for even heat distribution and to prevent any sticking. Take your time browning the chicken properly, as this builds incredible flavor in your one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup.
Step 1: Heat your large pot over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until completely browned. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning. The chicken should have no pink remaining. Remove the cooked chicken and set aside.
Step 2: In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and the onion becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Watch carefully so the garlic doesn’t burn.
Step 3: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and add the chicken broth. Stir everything together, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. These flavorful bits add depth to your soup.
Step 4: Sprinkle in the dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer.
Step 5: Add the medium shell pasta to the pot. Stir well and simmer for about 8-10 minutes until the pasta reaches al dente texture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Once the pasta is cooked, return the browned chicken from Step 1 to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and mix well. Allow the soup to heat through for about 2-3 minutes. Important: don’t let the soup boil after adding the cream, or it may separate.
Step 7: Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt for about 2 minutes. The spinach adds beautiful color and nutrients to your one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup.
Step 8: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese into the soup and stir until it melts and combines. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Step 9: Ladle the creamy soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and authentic Italian flavor.
Perfect Pairings for Your Creamy Chicken Soup
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread and fresh salads for a complete Italian-inspired meal.
Garlic Bread: The buttery, garlicky crunch contrasts perfectly with the creamy texture of the soup and helps soak up every last drop.
Crusty Baguette: A warm, crusty baguette offers a rustic touch that complements the Italian flavors while adding satisfying texture to each bite.
Fresh Garden Salad: A crisp salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and Italian dressing provides a refreshing balance to the rich, creamy one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup.
Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc: These light white wines enhance the Italian herbs and cream without overwhelming the delicate chicken flavor.
More Comforting One-Pot Soups to Try
This creamy Italian ground chicken soup pairs wonderfully with other hearty one-pot meals that deliver restaurant-quality flavor without the fuss. For vegetarian alternatives with similar creamy richness, try the Vegetarian Gnocchi Soup featuring pillowy potato gnocchi and chickpeas in a luscious Parmesan broth, or the Vegetable Orzo Soup loaded with tender vegetables and tiny pasta in a savory tomato base.
Looking for lighter options while maintaining satisfying flavors? The Turkey Vegetable Soup Weight Loss offers lean protein and vibrant vegetables at just 250 calories per bowl. For bold international flavors, explore the Spanish Potato Soup with Chorizo featuring smoky sausage and creamy potatoes that complement the Italian herbs beautifully.
How to Store and Reheat Your Soup
Store your leftover one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. I recommend storing the soup in individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches.
To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through. If the soup thickens too much during storage, simply add a splash of chicken broth or cream when reheating.
Pro tip: you can freeze this soup for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. However, cream-based soups sometimes separate slightly when frozen. Just stir well after reheating to bring the texture back together. For best results, consider freezing the soup before adding the cream, then stir in fresh cream when reheating.
Common Questions About This Italian Chicken Soup
Can I substitute the ground chicken with another protein?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully and tastes nearly identical. You can also use Italian sausage for a bolder flavor or a plant-based ground protein for a vegetarian version of this one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup.
What if my soup is too thick?
Simply add more chicken broth or a splash of cream to reach your desired consistency. The pasta absorbs liquid as it sits, so leftovers often need thinning out.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes! Replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to maintain that savory, cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Time to Make This Comforting Soup
This one pot creamy Italian ground chicken soup proves that incredible homemade meals don’t require hours in the kitchen or complicated techniques. With simple ingredients and one pot, you’ll have a restaurant-quality soup that your whole family will request again and again. The combination of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and that luscious creamy broth creates pure comfort food magic. Try this recipe tonight and discover your new favorite weeknight dinner!
One Pot Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup
A comforting one pot soup featuring ground chicken, vegetables, pasta, and Italian herbs in a rich creamy broth. Perfect weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale
- 1 cup medium shell pasta or any small pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat large pot over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned, breaking up with wooden spoon. Remove and set aside.
- In same pot, add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in diced tomatoes with juices and chicken broth. Stir well, scraping browned bits from bottom of pot for extra flavor.
- Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring to gentle boil then reduce heat to simmer.
- Add medium shell pasta to pot. Stir well and simmer 8-10 minutes until pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally.
- Return browned chicken to pot. Stir in heavy cream and mix well. Heat through for 2-3 minutes. Do not boil after adding cream.
- Stir in fresh spinach and let wilt for 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into soup and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Break up ground chicken well while cooking for even browning and better texture throughout the soup.
- Don’t let soup boil after adding cream to prevent separation. Keep at gentle simmer.
- Soup thickens as it sits. Add extra broth when reheating if needed.
- For lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use coconut milk for dairy-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg






