With this cooler weather making its presence known, I’m sorry I didn’t get this post, Chicken Minestrone alla All Our Way, out to you sooner. All the way home from our latest fishing trip, I thought and planned about making this soup with our area’s seasonal vegetables. I wanted to share my mamma’s method of making minestrone with you. You see, there are about as many variations of this minestra (soup) as there are cooks in Italy. Minestrone just means thick soup. Since it was a thirteen-hour trip home, I came up with a lot of ideas on how to present this to you. Once you understand the basic formula and adapt it to incorporate the seasonal vegetables, you’ll have countless variations of chicken vegetable soups you can create. This recipe has been updated from the original November 2015 in order to provide a better experience for our readers. Last update January 2019.
Yard work before Italian Minestrone Soup
Unfortunately, once we drove up to our house, I realized that making our chicken vegetable soup had to wait. Our yard was blanketed in leaves — lots and lots of leaves. Our community isn’t nicknamed tree town for nothing. Frankly, I believe our trees were some of the first planted here. They are humongous, and they love to make their presence know by dropping twigs, limbs, leaves and anything else they decide to discard.
It’s a never ending job keeping up with the debris. But don’t think I’m whining about the leaves and debris, oh no, heaven forbid, after all, my Honey did tell me what to expect when we decided to purchase this house. I’d never want to admit this out loud, but he was right!
Making this rustic minestrone soup is not as quick as our Roasted Chicken Vegetable Soup but the flavor is certainly worth the time.
Fresh ingredients for Chicken Minestrone
The next day we got an early start. The pantry and fridge were bare-boned, so grocery shopping was first on the list. We had plenty of frozen vegetables in our freezer but we wanted fresh. The Farmer’s Market had all the fresh vegetables we’d need for the soup.
We returned from the store, tackled the yard and finished in record time.
Even though it was mid afternoon, the recipe for the vegetable soup would not take that all.
Formula for Minestrone
Once I had the ingredients all around me, I recalled how mamma made her minestrone; it was almost as if she had a formula in her mind.
- She would always add some form of beans
- One or more sort of greens such as savoy cabbage, spinach, Swiss chard
- Always some pasta.
Then she would add whatever else was in season plus her basics — carrots, onions, and celery.
She always started by finely chopping together garlic, Italian parsley and sometimes rosemary, in a little bit of bacon fat.
Mamma would chop, chop, chop until it became a paste or trito. (Mamma always called it a pesto, it was after I’d started reading up on recipes indigenous to Isola D’Istria that I found Lidia’s Bastianich’s reference to it as trito).
Mamma would take a large soup pot, and she would brown the diced onions first in some olive oil and only then would she add the trito because onions took longer to sauté than garlic. ( I asked why and that is what she said)
Chicken Minestrone Soup light and delicious
The color and texture of her minestrone changed with the seasons. Sometimes the minestra was darker in color, heavy with winter vegetables or light and clear with gently flavored springtime vegetables.
Minestre play important roles in our kitchen and in Italian cuisine. They are versatile, and mamma changed the ingredients with the seasons. They never tasted the same; they always tasted delicious. I believe mamma and papà would heartily approved of this Chicken Minestrone Soup.
Do you have a soup that reminds you of your childhood? We’d love to have you share what it was!
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
More Italian Soups You Might Enjoy
YOU MAY NEED . . .
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We love enjoying our soup in >oversized mugs like these and if you’re a latte lover they also make a great coffee cup.
Chicken Minestrone A Rustic Italian Vegetable Soup
You don’t have to wait for any particular time of year to enjoy this soup. The vegetables you use are seasonal and fresh. Put in the veggies you like, the beans you favor, and the pasta you prefer. Make this your own recipe. Just follow the basics and you’ll see how much you enjoy making this hearty Italian vegetable soup.
Chicken Minestrone alla All Our Way
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breasts with skin and bones
- 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 slices bacon or pancetta
- 3 garlic cloves peeled
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 peeled carrots sliced
- 2-3 stalks celery sliced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 small zucchinis washed, ends trimmed, sliced
- 3 cups fresh green beans cleaned and diced -- you my add frozen
- 3 cups Savoy cabbage shredded
- 1 1/2 cups baby kale
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 14 oz. can Cannellini or Great Northern beans Lima any kind you like drained or 1 3/4 cup frozen beans or even your choice of dried beans that have been cooked according to directions.
- 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley
- 2 Tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 Tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
- 8 cups Homemade Chicken Broth or low-sodium canned broth warmed
- Salt and Pepper qb quanto basta -- to taste
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you have a piece of crust from a hunk of parmigiano-reggianno cheese you can add it to the soup. Be sure the crust is scraped clean
- Small pasta cooked al dente no more! -- It is served in a bowl with minestrone
- Optional: 2 TBLS tomato paste -- deeper tomato flavor
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Remove the bone from the breast leaving the skin on the breast. Rub the chicken bones with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place the bones in a foiled lined pan with 1/2 cup of water. Roast the bones for 30 to 45 minutes until they start to brown.
- Make a pesto (trito) out of the Italian parsley, garlic and bacon or pancetta by chopping together until you get a paste. Set aside
- Choose a heavy stockpot or Dutch oven that will accommodate all the ingredients. Put 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in the pot and turn on the heat to medium high. Brown the chicken breasts by first placing the breasts skin side down. Cook about 4 minutes on one side and then 4 minutes on the other side. Pour the warmed chicken broth over the breasts and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the roasted chicken breastbones plus any renderings to the pan and slowly simmer for 40 minutes. Remove the chicken and bones from the broth. Pass the broth through a fine sieve and into another heat-proof container. Throw away the bones and let the chicken breast cool then shred or dice into bite-size pieces.
- Put in the butter, oil and diced onion into the stockpot or Dutch oven and turn the heat to medium low. Cook the onion in the uncovered pot until it it wilts and becomes a pale gold color about 6 minutes. Don't let them burn or turn dark.
- Stir in the trito and continue cooking until it melts and is lightly browned and very fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add the green beans and sliced carrots. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring once or twice. These vegetables will take longer to cook so you want to layer as you cook.
- Add the sliced celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 - 4 minutes. Add the zucchini and continue stirring the ingredients. Add the shredded cabbage and continue cooking for another 5 or 6 minutes. Add the thyme and oregano. Stir to combine.
- Add the broth and the tomatoes with their juice plus a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. You can adjust the salt and pepper later on. Add the optional cheese crust now if you have it.
- Cover the pot and lower the heat so that the soup cooks steadily and slowly at a gentle simmer.
- When the soup has cooked for 2 hours, add the chicken, kale, peas and the beans. Stir well, cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- When soup is done remove the cheese crust ,if you used it, and taste for the correct amount of salt and pepper.
- To serve add pasta and ladle the chicken minestrone on top. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top. This is delicious served with Italian bread.
Notes
- Minestrone is delicious served right away but it is even better reheated. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Note: Recipes and content from © 2014-2019 All Our Way are copyright protected. Please do not use content or recipe without prior written permission. If you want to share the information, please link to this post. Grazie.
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Natalie says
I absolutely love minestrone soup. It’s super nutritious and so filling, loaded with veggies and flavors. This soup looks amazing. I would love a bowl right now to warm me. I have to give this a try. Saving the recipe.
Sara says
This looks like the kinda soup that would take the chill out of your bones after yard work or shoveling snow. I dont know if I have ever had chicken in minestrone soup, but it sure looks like something I would love!
Jagruti Dhanecha says
Love rustic recipes, and this hearty and filling chicken minestrone soup is perfect for cold and rainy days. It’s wholesome and delish!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Jagruti! It’s snowing here and we are enjoying it.
Loreto Nardelli says
Reading your poste reminds me so much of family life growing up. We always had a garden and minestrone was always part of the weekly recipe repertoire. My favorite soup is a stracciatella. Love how soft the egg is in a rich broth with spinach
Thanks for sharing your story and recipe!
Amanda Mason says
Your pictures of this soup are making my mouth water! Looks so delish! I’m loving me some soups right now and I’m excited to try this one!!
Veronika's Kitchen says
This is my favorite soup and I need it now!) it’s finally snowing here today in PA and all I want is a bowl of this soup!)
Kathryn | Urban Foodie Kitchen says
Such a great soup and one I don’t make often. Putting your recipe on my need to make list for this winter!
Analida Braeger says
What a hearty and healthy treat to warm up in the chilly weather. I love a nice veggie soup. Especially minestrone. Thanks for sharing.
Kiki Johnson says
Is there anything better than a steaming bowl of homemade minestrone to warm your bones on a cold winter day? I love that you use so many different veggies, which makes it easy to get rid of all those bits and bobs of vegetables that we always find towards the end of our workweek. The perfect recipe to clean out the fridge! And I LOVE the pictures! So appetizing
Leslie Haasch says
I’m such a soup fiend this time of year. Going to add this to my ever-rotating lists of dinner options!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Light yet flavorful and filling, what a nice lunch this would make.
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
Yummy! This looks and sounds like a hearty and comforting soup! I love all things Italian, these flavours are singing to me!!
Aleta says
Minestrone has always been my most favourite type of soup. I love how your is jam packed with vegetables and Cannellini beans are the best kind! This soup is loaded with hearty deliciousness, I can’t wait to make it for my family!
Elaine Benoit says
Minestrone soup is one of my favorites! Your chicken minestrone soup looks delicious and comforting! I can’t wait to try it.
Sherri says
This soup looks like a bowl…I mean…a mug of happiness! This is some serious comfort food right here and healthy at the same time! All those fresh veggies…yes, please! A perfect minestrone! 🙂
Gene says
I want to be Italian and eat pasta all day long when I see recipes like this. Looks mostly healthy, moderation hey! My husband has a thing about soups and having lots of them in winter. I may try this one on the family.
Mahy Elamin says
This was so yummy. I cooked this at the farm for the volunteers and guests and it was so good. I prepared it in the morning and by the evening it was so delicious that I feel I must thank you as it was simple and tasty.
Thank you 🙂
Arlene Mobley says
Minestrone soup is one of my favorites. I love reading about how you learned to cook from your mother.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
I have not heard the term trito before and loved the background information about the preparation! The soup is so colorful and lovely! I can’t wait to try it.
Veena Azmanov says
It’s cold and rainy here so this bowl of soup would be absolute heaven. I love minestrone not only is it so hearty and wholesome but it’s also so comforting. Love the flavors.
Gloria says
I could use a bowl of this right now. We are in for a snowstorm. What a great meal to have waiting for us when we come in from the cold. The perfect bowl of warmth to have after cleaning all the snow. Hearty, nutritious and delicious. A total win for comfort food season.
Jolina says
We cannot get enough of soup these days. This looks delicious! I love how you can change it up with what’s in season. Fantastic lady, your mamma 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo says
My grandmothers favorite kind of soup. Back in the early 70’s she would make this hearty soup. I never liked it now boy wouldnt I give anything to have her soup again. This sure reminds me of hers and I must try this next week! I just got a crock pot express and love it! Beautiful photos too!
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
I didn’t know minestrone meant thick soup! Interesting. How cool your town is called tree town. I live in an area where they are cutting down trees left and right. Good to know that some places are embracing them (no matter the frustrating keeping up after them, lol)
Liz says
What a gorgeous bowl of soup!! I think I’m going to try this but with chickpeas in place of the chicken! It looks lovely!
Veena Azmanov says
Minestrone has a way of creeping up in my mind when winter comes closer. Love how comforting this soup is. Simple and easy just the way I like it.
Dan Zehr says
Wonderful soup for the cold autumn evening. Thank you for this great idea! very very delicious!
Mahy Elamin says
mmm wonderful soup. I LOVE it! I am going to try this out. This is a great idea, even for picky eaters!
Lauren says
This soup is simply delicious and perfect for Fall. I love the added chicken – makes it even more special.
Lauren Vavala says
This soup is so hearty and delicious! Perfect recipe for the season!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I really thought I commented on this before wow how did I miss this.? One of my all time favorite soups as an adult that I hated as a kid can you believe it. Now its the first soup I look for on a menu. I must try your version. My mom always used escarole as she would say schadal lol I love the cabbage in this I am sure it makes a tastier soup
Mirlene says
I am looking forward to trying this minestrone soup in the upcoming winter days. Thanks for sharing!
Marisa Franca says
You’re welcome, Mirlene. I hope you enjoy it.
Tatiana says
Recipes that uses seasonal ingredients are my favorite. I am going to try your chicken minestrone soup, it sound so delicious and intriguing, Marisa!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Tatiana! Using seasonal ingredients are the key.
Nicolas Hortense says
I can totally relate to mum cooking comforting soups in the winter. She would always make these really nice filling soups filled with potatoes and pearl barley. Minestrone is one of my favourite soups but also one I don’t have often enough. Thanks for sharing Marisa! This was a great read (:
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Nicolas! What was the favorite soup your mum made?
Alexis says
Oh, we love a good soup recipe in our family. This looks absolutely delicious and perfect for late summer evening dinners.
Marisa Franca says
I agree, Alexis!!
Heather says
This soup is absolutely gorgeous! So hearty, super flavorful and I am such a lover of pasta in my soups. I love that this is so easy to bring together and I can’t wait for the weather to cool down so I can make a big pot of this!!!!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Heather! We are such lovers of soup — and to think when I was a child I used to turn up my nose at it. What I wouldn’t give for my mamma’s soups now.
Jyothi (Jo) says
This soup has my heart and soul – can’t imagine anything better than this soup right now! It looks so delicious and inviting.
Veena Azmanov says
I love minestrone soup and this sounds so hearty and healthy. My kids love minestrone but without the beans. So often I keep the beans for me. Nothing beats a warm bowl of soup after hard days work on a cold winter day. Your post reminds me of winter and comfort food.
Tammy says
I love minestrone soup and yours looks so hearty and delicious, Marisa! I have to admit, I’m missing those Fall days for soups like this ^_^ This one is a keeper for sure.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
Minestrone soup is very comforting and one of my favorites. Perfect to use leftover veggies and those ingredients we have handy. Loving the picture of the fresh produce and of course the soup!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Ohh, I can not wait until it’s soup weather! This looks so good, and has me craving all the cooler weather that comes along with it.
Claudia Lamascolo says
Everything you make along with photo are so mouth watering. This happens to be my favorite soup other than wedding soup and you aced this with the photo love everything about it
Denay DeGuzman says
I love hearty, flavorful rustic soups! Your chicken minestrone looks so incredibly delicious. I know my family is going to love it. I’m adding it to next week’s meal plan.
Valerie says
I love soup and can eat it pretty much year round. This sounds nice and hearty and looks like it has great texture.
Kim says
It is the perfect time of the year for this recipe – I can run right to my local farmer’s market to stock up on ingredients. I really love this!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Kim! It’s rainy here and on the clammy side — perfect weather.
Michelle says
I love a delicious soup like this. And with all our Thanksgiving leftovers, I think I might have to make a turkey version of this minestrone. Yum!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Michelle! Your turkey would be great in this soup. We’ve done that before. Enjoy!!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
This looks like the perfect bowl of goodness for comfort food season. I really don’t like the cold weather, but I do love having food like this to warm me up…makes the cold bearable for sure. Hearty and delicious…and making lots means great leftovers too.
Marisa Franca says
Boy, Gloria, for not liking cold weather you’re in one heck of a cold place. But I agree with you. As long as there’s yummy comfort food around I’m happy. A hearty soup is just plain good for everything. xoxo
Veena Azmanov says
I always love reading your post Marisa. This Minestrone looks like a perfect dinner for us tonight because it’s cold and rainy hear. Nothing beats a bowl of warm chicken and beans minestrone I think.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Veena! Right now the family soup maker is making soup!! We always like to have a pot going! xoxo
Jolina says
Tree town. I love that 🙂 We’re actually house hunting and we’d love to live in a tree-lined street! And how bright and vibrant is this dish. It’s perfect for the kind of chilly weather we’re having.
Marisa Franca says
We do love the trees except in the fall — lots and lots of leaves. Right now they are all gone except for the leaves in our lazy neighbors’ yards who don’t like to rake/mulch. Therefore when it’s windy guess where the leaves blow?? Uh huh!! Right into our yard. 🤬 I guess you have to take the good with the bad. xoxo
Denise Wright says
That was just a lovely post. You and your mother remind me of stories my mother in law told me about her mother who came over from Italy in her 20’s. I remember my MIL saying they had soup all the time because her father worked in the mines and it soothed his throat. I can’t wait to try that trito and some of your other times. Looks delicious!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Denise! The immigrants that came over then were hard workers. All they wanted to do was take care of their families!❤️ I bet your MIL has some good stories. I was fortunate to have a great MIL too. xoxo
Wendi says
This is a really stunning photo. I love the light. I bet the soup is good too – but the lighting is just fabulous! Congrats! 🙂
Fareeha says
Wow, this is just so incredible. I could right now grab that chicken minestrone from the screen and gobble it down in a minute. Lovely recipe.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you!We love soup and are on to making more today 🙂
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love all the veggies in this, it looks delicious, perfect to enjoy after a long day of leaf raking!
Marisa Franca says
You got that right. After battling the leaves there is nothing like a warm cup of soup to soothe the soul and tired muscles. Thank you for commenting.
Molly Kumar says
Such a gorgeous looking bowl of yum! Great recipe Marisa and it’s actually my favorite soup 🙂
Marisa Franca says
Thank you Molly! I love soups and there are so many varieties to make and try! Thank you for commenting.
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all says
Don’t get me started on all those leaves! It seems like they are all raked up and then minutes later there is a new fresh layer on the ground! Grrr! Do get me started on this minestrone though! This looks warm, hearty, and delicious! If it’s a “momma’s recipe” then you know it is good! Yum!
Marisa Franca says
I am so glad the leaves are finally down but NOT all gathered and removed! Going outside today to finish up — Thank Goodness and when we come in there will be a hot bowl of soup waiting for us. Thank you for commenting. Have a great weekend.
angela@spinachtiger says
I love your pictures and this is a wonderful recipe. I’m pinning, because I never thought to do chicken minestrone and I love the bacon fat.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you — hubby is a carnivore and loves to add protein to all his meals 🙂 And we don’t like the word “fat” 🙂 we like to give it the gentler term “oil”. Good grief, do you remember when our relatives used chicken fat –oops excuse me chicken oil?? Those were the days!!
nicole (thespicetrain.com) says
We have a nice thick blanket of snow outside and I can’t imagine anything better than this soup right now! It looks so delicious and inviting. Really nice photography too! 🙂
Marisa Franca says
Perfect day for soup!! I love what you do with spices and your photography, well, you hit it out of the stratosphere! Stay warm.
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen says
HI Marisa, what a delicious Minestrone, nothing better than soup at this time of the year. Thanks for linking up at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.
Marisa Franca says
Yes indeed soup hits the spot every time and thank you girls for hosting the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.
Oana @AdoreFoods says
Would love a big bowl of your Minestrone soup right now! It looks fantastic and I can almost smell it 🙂 Yum!
Leslie @Bessie Bakes says
Your momma was clearly a great cook. She taught you well! I love the versatility of this soup. Being able to add a myriad of fresh veggies makes it so hearty and healthy. Beautiful photos too!!
Donna says
What a lovely memory of your mom’s soup from growing up – I love that it changed so much with the seasons – perfect! Oh and I had to have a laugh about the leaves – we just bought a house a while back and my husband warned me that come Fall, the leaves would be crazy – I said it would be fine….leaves are now driving me crazy, but I cant say anything 🙂
Marisa Franca says
Boy am I ever with you when it comes to the leaves!! But this will be between you and me — write to me anytime and gripe. Good grief they are still falling and the poor lawnmower has had to go to the repair shop. Hubby has been blowing the leaves in a pile. He’s not a happy camper. I do NOT want to say I am tired of the leaves 😉
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love a good minestrone i the winter, especially with seasonal vegetables. This recipe looks amazing!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Well, you certainly put your 13 hour road trip to good use! This minestrone looks amazing! Nothing better than a large crock filled with this beautiful zuppa…one that’s loaded with warm and savory goodness! Brava!
Marisa Franca says
Grazie Annie! It was either do Sudoku or think about recipes and food — guess what won easily 🙂
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I love a whole meal in a bowl soup! Perfect and also as you said adaptable.
Marisa Franca says
If you make it, let me know what you put in it?
Whitney @ That Square Plate says
I’ve never made minestrone,.. I don’t even know if I’ve ever had it! I can’t believe it because I love all of the components.. I love Italian, and I love pasta. This is such a beautiful dish!
Marisa Franca says
It is so very easy to make and it is great having everything in a bowl.
Chiara says
a perfect comfort food for these cool evening ! Buon fine settimana Marisa, un abbraccio
Marisa Franca says
Anche ti, Chiara. Un abbraccio forte!
Tina Marie says
This is a bowl of comfort after my own heart! Looks so warm and delicious.
Marisa Franca says
It is and now were off to make another pot of soup!
Diane says
I absolutely LOVE Minestrone Soup. I can’t wait to make your version. Perfect fall and winter meal:)
Ciao Florentina says
I could never turn down a minestrone, and this one looks about as good as it gets. Perfection !
Ciao Chow Linda says
Oh my but does that ever look like a bowl of comfort. I made some soup today using Swiss Chard, carrots and tomatoes, but didn’t have any of those beautiful fat beans or other veggies like you used in yours. I need to ramp up my soup more tomorrow and add more veggies.
Diane P. says
When the weather turns cool, that signals my brain that it’s time for good hearty soups. I think I started making soups the first week of October. Minestrone has always been one of my favorites—-especially a thick, hearty soup with lots of veggies. Yours will be the next on my list of soups to make. Your pictures are lovely–so lifelike. I feel like I could reach into the computer screen with a spoon and take a taste!
Marisa Franca says
When the weather turns cool my appetite goes out of whack!! Everything and anything sounds good — soup especially. Tomorrow is beef and barley soup — one of my mom’s favorites.
mila furman says
I love both soups you feature here!!! Minestrone has always been one of my favorites! And this reminds me to go ahead and make mine that I have not made in ages!!! Gorgeous!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you! I love minestrone too! In fact I appreciate it more now than when I was young.
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
There is nothing better thank a delicious bowl of minestrone on a chilly fall day! This looks amazing!
I stopped by from Thursday Favorite Things.
Marisa Franca says
Hello!! I’m pleased to meet you. I hope we’ll encounter each other again and again!
Jovina Coughlin says
What a delicious looking soup and perfect for this time of year. It is also the perfect dinner after a busy day. So nourishing and comforting. A great idea to add chicken. I’ll have to try that. Great recipe as always.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you Jovina! I do love the addition of the seasonal vegetables.