Italian Penicillin Soup (Easy Pastina Soup)

Italian Penicillin Soup, also known as traditional Italian pastina soup, is a comforting chicken soup that's often made when someone in the family is sick. This simple pastina soup recipe is made with tender chicken, rich broth, tiny pasta, and fresh herbs to create a soothing, easy-to-digest meal that's perfect for colds, flu, or when you just need something warm and nourishing.

Sometimes called "Italian sick soup" or "Nonna's penicillin," this chicken pastina soup has been a go-to comfort food in Italian households for generations thanks to its simple ingredients and gentle, healing broth.

Why is Pastina Soup Called Italian Penicillin Soup?

Pastina soup has earned the nickname "Italian Penicillin Soup" because it's traditionally made in many Italian families when someone is feeling under the weather. This simple chicken pastina soup is often served as a soothing meal for colds, flu symptoms, or upset stomachs thanks to its warm broth and easy-to-digest ingredients.

Like classic chicken noodle soup, Italian penicillin soup is made with nourishing chicken broth to help keep you hydrated, along with tender shredded chicken for protein and tiny pasta like pastina that's gentle on the stomach, even when you don't feel like eating much. Fresh herbs add flavor without heaviness, and a squeeze of lemon can help brighten the broth and make the soup more appealing when your appetite is low. My kids love this recipe when they've got the snuffles, have a chest cold, or are just feeling a bit run down.

It's not actual medicine, of course - but for generations, this traditional Italian pastina soup has been relied on as a comforting sick-day meal because of its simple, wholesome ingredients and soothing broth. Whether you're battling a cold or just need something warm and nourishing, this chicken pastina soup is a go-to comfort food when you're not feeling your best.

Why You'll Love This Easy Italian Chicken Penicillin Soup Recipe

This delicious soup is perfect any time of year and is one of my favorite recipes to make when someone in our house is feeling under the weather. I love this Italian Penicillin Soup because it takes a traditional Italian soup and gives it a fresh twist with wholesome ingredients and rich flavors. Here's why you'll love it too:

• Made with simple, wholesome ingredients
• Easy to customize with whatever you have on hand
• Gentle, nourishing broth that's perfect when you're not feeling your best
• Quick to make and easy to digest
• A comforting chicken pastina soup the whole family will love

PS - Looking for more delicious soups to make when you're feeling under the weather? Try this creamy lemon chicken florentine soup, Italian sausage, kale and white bean soup, instant pot chicken noodle soup, and this delicious vegan lasagna soup.

Traditional Italian Pastina Soup Ingredients

Just a few simple ingredients are needed to make this delicious chicken pastina soup:

• Bone-in chicken thighs. I love using chicken thighs here vs. breasts as they add a lot more flavor to the broth. And using bone-in chicken helps keep the chicken a bit more moist. 
• Chicken broth or water. Obviously, homemade chicken broth creates the best results here, but feel free to use canned to save time and make things easier.
• Poultry herb blend. This unique herb blend is easy to find in the produce section and makes it easy to add a bunch of fresh herbs like thyme sprigs, parsley, and bay leaves to the soup, adding an aromatic flavor.
• Tomato paste. Not always used in Penicillin soup, but I love the color it adds and the slight tomatoey, acidic flavor.
• Olive oil. A staple in traditional Italian cooking, adding richness to the dish.
• Pastina pasta. These small pasta shapes are the star of this Italian pastina soup! Pastina literally means "little pasta" in Italian. Any tiny pasta shapes like acini de pepe or little stars will work perfectly with this Italian chicken noodle soup.
• Parmesan cheese. Grated Parmigiano Reggiano on top makes this soup extra indulgent and adds a nutty, salty flavor.
• Lemon juice. I feel like a nice squeeze of lemon brightens the flavors of the rich broth. 

Variations And Substitutions

Penicillin soup, or pastina soup, is an ages-old recipe, and there are about a million different versions of it that have evolved with tradition and family over the years. I love the recipe as written here, but there are loads of ways to change it up and make it your own. Here are some ways to adjust if you want to make some substitutions. 

• Use rotisserie chicken. In a time crunch? For a quicker version, use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken thighs.
• Try a whole chicken. For the overachievers among us, using a whole chicken will create a richer, more flavorful broth. (But will require extra cooking time and a bit of extra work when it comes to deboning and shredding the chicken.)
• Switch up the pastina. Any small pasta shape will do here, so don't worry too much about names. If you're trying to find something in the grocery store, look for acini de pepe, alphabet pasta, or even tiny star-shaped pasta. 
• Use vegetable stock. Swap chicken broth for vegetable stock if you want a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version. Or, if you are in a pinch, you can also use water. 
• Add some extra flavors. Toss in a Parmesan rind while simmering for an even deeper flavor. You can also experiment with different herbs to enhance this comforting soup.
• Add more vegetables. Feel free to add other veggies like zucchini, potatoes, or spinach for bonus nutrition points!
• Use Italian seasoning. If you can't find a fresh bundle of poultry seasoning, you can always use a blend of thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and parsley to create your own. You could also simply add a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning to make it easier. 

How To Make Italian Penicillin Soup

Making this Chicken pastina soup recipe is super easy, and a great recipe when you're feeling sick. The hardest part is really just chopping the veg, but after that, it's smooth sailing. Here's what you'll do:

1. Step 1: Prepare the chicken and broth. Place the chicken thighs in a large pot and pour the chicken stock or broth (or water if that's all you've got) over the top. Tie the poultry herb bundle with some kitchen twine and add it to the pot. Bring everything to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes, skimming any foam that rises to the top.

2. Step 2: Add the onion and garlic. Toss in the sliced onion, olive oil, salt, pepper, and smashed garlic. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.

3. Step 3: Add the vegetables and tomato paste. Stir in the chopped carrots, celery, leeks, minced garlic, and tomato paste. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

4. Step 4: Cook the pasta. You'll want to prepare the pastina separately, then add to the pasta at the end. This helps ensure the pasta doesn't get overcooked and prevents it from becoming mushy.
   Shred the chicken. Remove the chicken thighs from the soup, discard the bones and skin, shred the meat, and return it to the pot, along with the pastina

5. Step 5: Finish and serve. Add the freshly chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice to the soup. Serve in bowls topped with nutty, grated Parmesan cheese and extra parsley if desired.

Italian Penicillin Soup Frequently Asked Questions