If you’re craving a warm, comforting bowl of soup with a spicy kick, this Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup recipe is just what you need.
Bursting with fresh vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and flavorful herbs, this hearty dish is perfect for cold nights or when you’re looking for something satisfying but light.
What so Special About Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup?
Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup stands out for its bold, flavorful combination of tender shredded chicken, hearty vegetables, and aromatic herbs, all simmered in a savory broth with a spicy kick from red pepper flakes.
What makes it truly special is its balance of rich, comforting flavors with a hint of heat, making it perfect for chilly days. The addition of ditali pasta adds texture, while mashing some vegetables thickens the soup naturally. It’s a satisfying, restaurant-quality dish that feels both rustic and refined.
Ingredients for Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe
- 1 ½ celery ribs, diced
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 small russet potato, peeled and diced
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (14 oz.) can of tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. parsley
- 1 tbsp. oregano
- 2 tbsp. minced garlic
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded chicken (pre-cooked)
- 2 cups cooked ditali pasta (or another small pasta)
Equipment & Tools Required
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Dutch oven or large soup pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Potato masher
- Small pot and Ladle
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Carrabba’s Soup Recipe Spicy Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Start by dicing the celery, carrot, yellow onion, russet potato, and red bell pepper into small ¼”–½” pieces. This ensures that all the veggies cook evenly and quickly.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In your Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced celery, carrot, onion, potato, and red bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
Step 3: Add Seasonings and Tomatoes
Next, stir in the chopped tomatoes, parsley, oregano, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Allow these ingredients to cook together for an additional 2–3 minutes. The aromatics will start to release their wonderful fragrances, adding depth to your soup.
Step 4: Add Water and Broth
Pour in 5 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth. Stir to combine, then cover the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-low heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and allow the soup to simmer, partially covered, for about 1 hour.
Step 5: Mash Some of the Vegetables
After simmering, use a potato masher to gently mash some of the softened vegetables at the bottom of the pot. This step adds a thicker, heartier texture to the soup without needing to blend it fully.
Step 6: Add the Chicken
Stir in 2 cups of shredded chicken and allow the soup to simmer for an additional 30 minutes. This gives the chicken time to soak up all the spicy, savory flavors of the broth.
Step 7: Cook the Pasta
While the chicken simmers, cook your ditali pasta in a separate pot according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 8: Add the Pasta and Serve
Just before serving, add the cooked pasta to the soup. Give everything a good stir to ensure the pasta is well distributed. Ladle the soup into bowls, and if you like, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan for a finishing touch.
Creative Serving Ideas for Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup
1. Crusty Garlic Bread
Pair the soup with homemade garlic bread. The crunchy texture of the bread is perfect for dipping into the flavorful broth, and the garlic enhances the Italian flavors.
2. Side Salad
Serve with a light mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The freshness of the greens and tanginess of the dressing complement the hearty, spicy soup.
3. Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Cheese
Top each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano. The nutty, salty flavor of the cheese contrasts beautifully with the soup’s spiciness.
4. Toasted Ciabatta Rolls
Serve the soup alongside toasted ciabatta rolls. Their slightly chewy texture and soft interior are great for soaking up the soup’s rich broth.
5. Olive Tapenade Crostini
Prepare small crostinis with a layer of olive tapenade. The briny, savory flavors of the tapenade will provide a tasty balance to the soup’s spiciness.
6. Antipasto Platter
Create an antipasto platter with marinated olives, artichokes, cured meats, and cheeses. This adds an Italian flair to the meal and makes it more substantial for guests.
7. Lemon Wedges
Offer lemon wedges for guests to squeeze into the soup. The citrusy brightness of lemon helps to cut through the rich flavors and adds a fresh twist.
8. Roasted Vegetables
Serve roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and red peppers on the side. The roasted flavor pairs nicely with the spiciness of the soup and adds more veggie goodness to the meal.
9. Polenta Fries
Polenta fries are a fun and flavorful side dish to serve with the soup. Their crispy, slightly cheesy flavor adds an exciting contrast to the warm, spicy broth.
10. Wine Pairing: Chianti
Pair the soup with a glass of Italian Chianti wine. Its bright acidity and red fruit notes enhance the tomato base and the spicy elements of the soup.
These ideas will help you serve a well-rounded meal, making this comforting soup the star of your table.
Tips on Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe
1. Use Fresh Herbs
Whenever possible, use fresh parsley and oregano instead of dried. Fresh herbs add a vibrant flavor that enhances the soup’s overall taste.
2. Adjust Spice Level
If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes to ¼ teaspoon. For an extra kick, add an additional pinch or even a dash of cayenne pepper.
3. Use Homemade Chicken Broth
For the best flavor, use homemade chicken broth. It’s richer and adds more depth to the soup compared to store-bought versions.
4. Shred Rotisserie Chicken
If you’re short on time, use shredded rotisserie chicken. It’s convenient and adds a smoky, savory flavor to the soup.
5. Cook Pasta Separately
Always cook the pasta separately and add it just before serving. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much broth and becoming mushy.
6. Mash Vegetables for Texture
Mashing some of the cooked vegetables in the pot adds a thicker, heartier texture to the soup without the need for additional cream or thickeners.
7. Let the Soup Rest
After cooking, allow the soup to rest for 15 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes the soup even more delicious.
8. Use Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
For extra depth of flavor, try using canned fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular ones. They add a slightly smoky taste that pairs well with the spices.
9. Swap Pasta for Rice or Quinoa
If you prefer a gluten-free option, replace the ditali pasta with rice or quinoa. Both work well and absorb the soup’s flavors beautifully.
10. Top with Fresh Garnishes
Serve the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a dollop of sour cream for added freshness and a zesty balance to the spice.
How to Store Leftover Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup?
To store leftover Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze the soup (without the pasta) in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating for the best texture.
Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ celery ribs diced
- 1 carrot peeled and diced
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 small russet potato peeled and diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- 1 14 oz can of tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded chicken pre-cooked
- 2 cups cooked ditali pasta or another small pasta
Instructions
- Start by dicing the celery, carrot, yellow onion, russet potato, and red bell pepper into small ¼”–½” pieces. This ensures that all the veggies cook evenly and quickly.
- In your Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced celery, carrot, onion, potato, and red bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
- Next, stir in the chopped tomatoes, parsley, oregano, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Allow these ingredients to cook together for an additional 2–3 minutes. The aromatics will start to release their wonderful fragrances, adding depth to your soup.
- Pour in 5 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth. Stir to combine, then cover the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-low heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and allow the soup to simmer, partially covered, for about 1 hour.
- After simmering, use a potato masher to gently mash some of the softened vegetables at the bottom of the pot. This step adds a thicker, heartier texture to the soup without needing to blend it fully.
- Stir in 2 cups of shredded chicken and allow the soup to simmer for an additional 30 minutes. This gives the chicken time to soak up all the spicy, savory flavors of the broth.
- While the chicken simmers, cook your ditali pasta in a separate pot according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Just before serving, add the cooked pasta to the soup. Give everything a good stir to ensure the pasta is well distributed. Ladle the soup into bowls, and if you like, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan for a finishing touch.
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Notes
Common queries on Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe
These commonly asked questions and their short answers will give you an better understanding of this Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup Recipe
1. How many calories are in Carrabba’s Chicken Soup?
The calorie count for a serving of Carrabba’s Chicken Soup is typically around 200-250 calories, depending on the exact portion size and ingredients used. This can vary if more pasta or oil is added.
2. What’s the difference between chicken soup and condensed chicken soup?
Chicken soup is ready-to-eat and contains broth, vegetables, and meat, while condensed chicken soup is a thicker, concentrated version. Condensed soup usually needs to be mixed with water or milk before serving, and is often used as a base for casseroles and other dishes.
3. How do you add depth of flavor to chicken soup?
To add depth of flavor, use homemade chicken broth and fresh herbs like parsley and oregano. Sautéing vegetables in olive oil before adding them to the broth enhances their flavor. You can also add a splash of wine or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to brighten the flavors.
4. What makes Campbell’s Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup spicy?
Campbell’s Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup gets its heat from chili pepper or red pepper flakes, which are blended into the broth, providing a mild to moderate level of spiciness.
5. Can I freeze Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup?
Yes, you can freeze Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup. Make sure to leave out the pasta before freezing, as it can become mushy when thawed. Add freshly cooked pasta when you’re ready to serve.
6. Can I use different pasta for this soup?
Yes, you can swap the ditali pasta with other small pasta shapes like orzo, elbow macaroni, or mini farfalle. Just ensure the pasta is cooked separately and added before serving to avoid it becoming too soft.
7. How do I make this soup less spicy?
To reduce the spice level, cut down the amount of red pepper flakes to ¼ teaspoon or omit them entirely. You can also balance the spice by adding a little cream or a splash of lemon juice to mellow the heat.
8. What is the best chicken to use for this soup?
Shredded rotisserie chicken is a convenient option, but you can also use poached chicken breasts or thighs. Using dark meat like thighs will give the soup a richer flavor.
9. Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes! You can prepare this recipe in a slow cooker by sautéing the vegetables first, then transferring everything except the pasta into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, and add the shredded chicken and cooked pasta in the last 30 minutes.
10. What can I serve with Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup?
You can serve the soup with garlic bread, a green salad, or a side of grated Parmesan. For heartier meals, pair it with an antipasto platter or roasted vegetables.
This Carrabba’s Spicy Chicken Soup is perfect for those who love a little heat in their meals. Serve it with crusty bread on the side to soak up all the rich broth, and you’ve got a meal that will warm you from the inside out.
Let the cozy, spicy flavors transport you straight to an Italian kitchen—buon appetito!
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Delicious
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Super simple and delicious
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good