Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup with Spinach & Parmesan
This healthy chicken noodle soup with spinach is a quick, wholesome option, packed with tender chicken, whole-wheat pasta, vibrant spinach, and finished with lemon and Parmesan. Perfect for a cozy, healthy meal, it’s an easy chicken soup with Parmesan that delivers comfort and nutrition in every bowl.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat small elbow pasta
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper, stirring constantly until the garlic is fragrant and sizzling, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the white wine and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing it to reduce by half.
- Add the chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Cover and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Stir in the whole-wheat pasta and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from heat and stir in the shredded chicken and baby spinach. Stir gently until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.
- Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and stir well. Divide the soup among four shallow bowls and sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
If making this soup ahead or planning for leftovers, cook the pasta separately to prevent it from absorbing too much broth. To skip wine, use an additional 1/3 cup chicken broth instead. Enhance flavor with herbs like thyme or rosemary.