This hearty chicken florentine soup is a great way to add some Italian flair to your dinner. With the perfect blend of chicken, Italian spices, and creamy cheeses, it's sure to be a hit with the whole family. The fresh spinach adds a touch of green, while the white beans and potatoes make it a filling meal.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe can be found in your pantry or fridge, there are a few you may need to pick up. Fresh spinach is a must for this recipe, it adds a wonderful color and texture to the soup. Also, you may not have white beans at home, these are a great source of protein and fiber. Lastly, cream cheese is used to make the soup creamy and rich, so make sure you have it on hand before starting.
Ingredients for Chicken Florentine Soup
chicken broth: This forms the base of your soup and adds flavor to it.
chicken: This is the protein of your soup. It can be leftover rotisserie chicken or fresh one.
Italian seasoning: This will give your soup that authentic Italian taste.
paprika: This adds a smoky flavor.
salt: To enhance the flavors.
carrots: These add a slight sweetness and a bit of texture.
diced tomatoes: These will break down as they cook and give your soup a nice chunky texture.
water: This will help to dilute your soup to the right consistency.
white beans: These add a great source of protein and fiber.
red potatoes: These will give your soup some body.
spinach: This gives your soup color and is full of nutrients.
cream cheese: This is how you get your soup rich and creamy.
mozzarella cheese: This adds a cheesy touch to the soup and makes the soup thick and creamy.
One reader, Der Cochran says:
This chicken florentine soup recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and comforting, and the creamy texture is just divine. It's so easy to make and perfect for a cozy night in. I highly recommend trying it out - it's become a family favorite in our household!
Techniques Required for Chicken Florentine Soup Recipe
How to shred chicken: Cook the chicken until it's tender, then use two forks to pull the meat apart into small, shredded pieces.
How to stir in cream cheese: Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and gradually add them to the hot soup, stirring constantly until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the soup.
How to add mozzarella cheese: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the soup and stir it in until it's fully melted and well combined.
How To Make Chicken Florentine Soup
Put together a hearty and comforting dish with this recipe for chicken florentine soup. This slow-cooked meal has potato, carrots, white beans, & spinach.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 29ozchicken broth
- 3cupschicken,shredded
- 3tspItalian seasoning
- 2tsppaprika
- 1tspsalt
- 4carrots,peeled and diced
- 29ozdiced tomatoes,with juice from can
- 2cupswater
- 15ozwhite beans,drained
- 6red potatoes,diced
- 3cupsfresh spinach,chopped
- 8ozcream cheese
- 2cupsmozzarella cheese,shredded
Instructions
-
Place shredded chicken, broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, diced tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, beans and water in your crockpot.
-
Cook on Low for 4½ to 5 hours (or on High for 2 to 3 hours).
-
Stir in cream cheese until well combined. Cook soup for another half hour and add your spinach.
-
Cook for 20 to 30 more minutes and right before serving add 2 cups of Mozzarella cheese. Stir in cheese until it is well combined. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 793.23kcal
- Fat: 36.04g
- Saturated Fat: 18.43g
- Trans Fat: 0.05g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10.99g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.34g
- Carbohydrates: 75.08g
- Fiber: 14.60g
- Sugar: 10.86g
- Protein: 45.49g
- Cholesterol: 131.46mg
- Sodium: 1231.80mg
- Calcium: 621.63mg
- Potassium: 2457.91mg
- Iron: 9.39mg
- Vitamin A: 597.17µg
- Vitamin C: 34.95mg
Technique Tip for Enhancing the Flavor of Chicken Florentine Soup
To ensure that your chicken remains tender and juicy in the soup, it's best to use chicken thighs. They have more fat and flavor compared to chicken breasts, and they won't dry out during the long cooking process. Additionally, when adding the spinach, make sure to stir it in gently to avoid overcooking it. Spinach wilts quickly, so it only needs a few minutes to cook in the soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Soup Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables, measure out ingredients, and prepare as much as possible in advance to streamline the cooking process.
One-pot wonders: Opt for recipes that allow you to cook everything in a single pot or pan, minimizing cleanup and saving time.
Use kitchen gadgets: Utilize tools like food processors, blenders, and slow cookers to simplify meal preparation and reduce hands-on time.
Batch cooking: Prepare large quantities of certain components, such as shredded chicken or cooked grains, to use in multiple recipes throughout the week.
Follow the recipe: Read through the entire recipe before starting to ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and understand the steps, preventing any last-minute confusion.
Substitute Ingredients For Chicken Florentine Soup Recipe
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar savory flavor and depth to the soup without the use of chicken.
chicken - Substitute with chopped seitan or tempeh: Both seitan and tempeh can provide a meaty texture and absorb the flavors of the soup, making them suitable substitutes for chicken.
Italian seasoning - Substitute with dried basil, oregano, and thyme: This combination can replicate the aromatic and herbaceous flavors of Italian seasoning.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can add a rich, smoky flavor to the soup, enhancing its depth and complexity.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a similar level of salinity and enhance the overall flavor of the soup.
carrots - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash can offer a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, adding depth and richness to the soup.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with canned tomato sauce: Tomato sauce can provide a smoother texture and a more concentrated tomato flavor to the soup.
white beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a creamy texture and mild flavor, making them a suitable alternative to white beans in the soup.
red potatoes - Substitute with Yukon Gold potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes have a similar creamy texture and can hold up well in soups, providing a good substitute for red potatoes.
fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale can offer a hearty and robust texture, adding a different dimension to the soup while providing a similar nutritional profile to spinach.
cream cheese - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can add a creamy richness to the soup while also providing a hint of coconut flavor, complementing the other ingredients.
mozzarella cheese - Substitute with grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese can offer a savory and nutty flavor, adding depth and richness to the soup.
Presentation Tips for Serving Chicken Florentine Soup
- Elevate the plating: Arrange the soup in a deep, wide-rimmed bowl, ensuring that each ingredient is visible and beautifully presented.
- Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle finely chopped parsley and chives over the soup for a pop of color and added freshness.
- Incorporate edible flowers: Place a delicate edible flower on top of the soup to add an elegant and visually appealing touch.
- Utilize high-quality serving ware: Serve the soup in elegant, porcelain bowls to enhance the dining experience and showcase the dish's sophistication.
- Accent with a drizzle: Add a swirl of extra virgin olive oil on top of the soup for a luxurious finish, enhancing both the flavor and presentation.
- Accompany with artisan bread: Serve the soup with freshly baked artisan bread on the side, adding a rustic and inviting element to the presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Chicken Florentine Soup
- Crock pot: A slow cooker used for simmering soups, stews, and other dishes at low temperatures for an extended period.
- Knife: A sharp tool used for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Cutting board: A flat board used for cutting and preparing food.
- Saucepan: A deep cooking pan with a handle, used for making soups, sauces, and stews.
- Spatula: A cooking utensil with a broad, flat, flexible blade used for mixing, spreading, and flipping ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Used for accurately measuring ingredients for recipes.
- Can opener: A tool used for opening cans of ingredients such as diced tomatoes and beans.
- Stove: A cooking appliance used for applying heat to the saucepan and other cookware.
- Ladle: A long-handled spoon with a deep bowl for serving soups and stews.
- Cheese grater: A kitchen tool used to grate cheese for the recipe.
- Mixing bowl: A bowl used for mixing and combining ingredients.
- Tongs: A utensil with two arms that are joined with a hinge, used for picking up and manipulating food.
- Can opener: A tool used for opening cans of ingredients such as diced tomatoes and beans.
- Soup ladle: A large, long-handled spoon with a deep bowl for serving soup.
- Cooking spoon: A long-handled spoon used for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
Storing and Freezing Instructions for Chicken Florentine Soup
Allow the chicken florentine soup to cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent the formation of condensation, which can lead to spoilage and freezer burn.
For short-term storage, transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop over time, making the soup even more delicious.
If freezing, consider portioning the soup into individual serving sizes for easy reheating later. Use freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
Label the containers or bags with the date and contents to keep track of your frozen soup inventory.
When freezing, you may choose to omit the cream cheese and mozzarella cheese from the recipe. These dairy products can sometimes develop a grainy texture when frozen and reheated. Instead, add the cheeses when reheating the soup for the best results.
To reheat frozen soup, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Transfer the thawed soup to a pot and heat it gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. If you omitted the cheeses during freezing, add them at this stage and stir until melted and well combined.
Frozen chicken florentine soup can be stored for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality. However, for the best flavor and texture, consume within 1-2 months.
How To Reheat Leftover Chicken Florentine Soup
Reheat the chicken florentine soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows for even heating and prevents the cream cheese and mozzarella cheese from separating or curdling.
If you prefer to use the microwave, transfer the desired portion of soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the soup in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method is quicker but requires more attention to ensure even heating and prevent the cheese from separating.
For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to the soup while reheating to thin it out slightly. This is especially helpful if the soup has thickened considerably during storage in the refrigerator.
To enhance the flavor of the reheated soup, consider adding a pinch of fresh Italian seasoning or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving. This will give the soup a burst of fresh flavor and aroma.
If you have stored the spinach separately from the soup, you can add it to the reheated soup just before serving. This will help maintain the vibrant color and texture of the spinach, as it can become overcooked and wilted if reheated for too long.
Random Fact About Chicken Florentine Soup
Chicken Florentine Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish that is packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. It's a great way to incorporate a variety of vegetables and legumes into your diet, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal option.
Is Making Chicken Florentine Soup at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this chicken florentine soup recipe is quite high. The ingredients are fairly affordable and can be found in most households. The use of chicken, vegetables, and beans makes it a nutritious and filling meal for a family. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20, making it a budget-friendly option. The overall verdict rating for this recipe would be 8 out of 10, considering its taste, nutritional value, and affordability.
Is Chicken Florentine Soup Healthy or Unhealthy?
The chicken florentine soup recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that offers some nutritional benefits, but it also has room for improvement. On the positive side, the soup includes:
- Lean protein from the chicken
- Fiber and nutrients from the vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and spinach
- Additional fiber and protein from the white beans
However, there are a few aspects that could be adjusted to make the recipe healthier:
- The cream cheese and mozzarella add significant amounts of saturated fat and calories
- The sodium content may be high due to the chicken broth, salt, and canned tomatoes
- The recipe lacks whole grains
To make this soup healthier while maintaining its delicious taste, consider the following modifications:
- Replace the cream cheese with a lower-fat alternative like Greek yogurt or light cream cheese
- Reduce the amount of mozzarella cheese or use a low-fat variety
- Opt for low-sodium chicken broth and canned tomatoes to control salt intake
- Add a whole grain like quinoa or whole wheat pasta to boost fiber and nutrients
- Increase the variety of vegetables by adding onions, celery, or zucchini to pack in more vitamins and minerals
Editor's Thoughts on the Delightful Chicken Florentine Soup
The chicken florentine soup recipe you've provided is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The use of Italian seasoning and paprika adds a depth of flavor, while the addition of cream cheese and mozzarella cheese brings a rich and creamy element to the soup. The incorporation of fresh spinach provides a pop of color and freshness. Overall, this recipe is a comforting and satisfying dish that is sure to please anyone looking for a hearty and flavorful soup option.
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Why trust this Chicken Florentine Soup Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of chicken, Italian seasoning, and mozzarella cheese, ensuring a rich and flavorful experience. The use of fresh spinach and cream cheese adds a creamy texture and a burst of nutrients. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a comforting and hearty soup. Trust the expertise behind this recipe, as it promises a satisfying and wholesome meal that will surely impress your taste buds.
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