How I Make My Cozy and Nourishing Tuscan Chicken Soup for Winter

Winter is the season for going inward, resting, snuggling under cozy blankets, and most importantly, hearty and nourishing soups that warm you from the inside out. I'm excited to share with you one of my all-time favourite recipes that never fails to to get noticed in the clinic on my lunch breaks: Tuscan Chicken Soup. This soul-warming concoction is a staple in my kitchen during the colder months, and it's a recipe that I've played with to create over the years.

Image: Pot of soup with carrot, celery, potato and tomato

Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs butter

• 1 onion, peeled and diced

• 3-4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

• 1 tsp dried thyme (or fresh)

• 4 stalks of celery, diced

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 4 medium potatoes, diced

• 2 skinless chicken breasts, chopped

• Pinch of salt and pepper to taste

  
  

• 1.25 litres of your favourite chicken stock

• 1 can of chopped tomatoes, if you want more punch, add 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes chopped

  
  

• 100g fresh spinach

  
  

• 1/2 cup lactose-free cream

• 2 tbs of finely grated parmesan

• Fresh parsley to top

Method:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a heavy-based soup pot. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until the chicken is sealed. Set aside.

• Add another tablespoon of butter to the pot. Once melted, add the onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is soft and the flavours are releasing.

• Add celery and carrots, cook and stir until they soften slightly and look shiny.

• Toss in the potatoes, cooking for an additional about 3 minute before returning the cooked chicken to the pot.

• Sprinkle in the thyme, add the canned tomatoes and chicken stock.

• Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

• Remove from heat and stir in the cream, parmesan and spinach.

• Serve the soup in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley.

• Enjoy on its own or with your favourite bread or grilled cheese for a comforting meal (not for us being grain free and its filling and delicious without the bread)

This Tuscan Chicken Soup recipe is such a fun blend of flavours and textures that will have you coming back for seconds. It's hearty, wholesome, and packed with nourishing ingredients that are perfect for the chilly winter days.

So next time you're looking to warm up from the inside out, give this recipe a try. Stay tuned for more of my favourite soup recipes coming soon. Happy cooking and even happier eating!