Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Tuscan
Ingredients: 500 g chicken thighs, skinless boneless; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 large celery stems, finely sliced; 1/2 cup dry white wine (Chardonnay), optional; 4 cups low sodium chicken stock; 3 cups water; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 250 g small pasta shells; 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup thickened/heavy cream; 2 packed cups baby spinach, chopped; 1/2 cup sun dried tomato strips, chopped into 1 cm pieces with some oil dripping; 2 tsp cornflour/cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water

If you’re craving something warm, comforting, and just downright delicious, I’ve got you covered with this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe. It’s a beautiful blend of rich cream, tender chicken, and vibrant veggies that’ll quickly become your go-to soup for cozy nights in. Trust me, you’ll want to stick around for the full scoop on how to nail this one!

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - A white pot filled with creamy soup that has a thick texture, showing visible pieces of pasta, small bits of browned meat, and green leafy herbs. The soup has swirls of orange oil on the surface and a ladle lifting a scoop of the soup that clearly shows the pasta, meat, and herbs mixed together in the creamy broth. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe because it’s got that perfect balance of hearty and creamy without feeling too heavy. Every spoonful feels like a little hug from the inside, and it’s pretty quick to throw together too—perfect for weeknight dinners or lazy weekends where you want something satisfying.

Rich and Flavorful: The combination of wine, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan creates layers of deep, comforting flavors you won’t forget.
Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of these in your kitchen, and the recipe is flexible with easy swaps.
Versatile: Whether you want to use chicken thighs or breasts, pasta or potatoes, it adapts really well.
Comfort Food Meets Elegance: It’s cozy enough for a family dinner but fancy enough to serve guests without stress.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - The image shows a white ceramic pot filled with creamy soup containing three main visible layers: the base is a thick, off-white creamy broth mixed with small white pasta shells and chunks of light-colored meat; scattered throughout are dark green spinach leaves adding contrast; on top, there are pieces of rich dark red sun-dried tomatoes and a bright orange oil drizzle spreading across the surface with a light dusting of grated cheese in the center. A silver spoon rests inside the soup, and pieces of white flatbread are placed next to the pot on a white marbled surface with dark blue cloth partially visible in the background. A few loose fresh spinach leaves are also scattered nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe plays a specific role, coming together to create a creamy, flavorful, and balanced soup. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you shop confidently and understand why everything works:

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Flat lay of skinless boneless chicken thighs with smooth pale pink flesh, bright white chopped onion pieces, vibrant green celery stalks sliced thinly, fresh dark green baby spinach leaves with delicate veins, deep red sun dried tomato strips with wrinkled texture, a small mound of finely grated pale yellow parmesan cheese with sandy texture, two plump garlic cloves with papery white skin, and a handful of small ivory-colored pasta shells, all beautifully arranged with natural spacing and gentle shadows, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken thighs: They stay juicy and tender, making the soup richer; you can use breasts too, just slice thinner to avoid drying out.
Butter: Adds that silky base flavor and helps cook the aromatics without overpowering.
Onion and garlic: Classic aromatics that build the flavor foundation.
Celery: Adds a subtle crunch and earthiness; carrots are a great swap if you prefer a sweeter note.
White wine: This optional step deepens flavor — it’s like a mini secret trick to elevate the soup effortlessly.
Chicken stock and water: The core liquid that keeps the soup light but flavorful.
Small pasta shells: Their size makes them perfect for spooning, and they lend creaminess as they cook; you can swap with orzo, or even potatoes or rice.
Parmesan cheese: This is the magic for that creamy, cheesy finish—store-bought sandy parmesan works great if refrigerated properly.
Heavy cream: It gives body and a velvety mouthfeel; substitute with milk if you want fewer calories but keep the texture in mind.
Baby spinach: Adds freshness and color; kale or other greens work well too.
Sun-dried tomatoes with oil: The unexpected punch of flavor and gorgeous splash of color that really sets this apart.
Cornflour slurry: Thickens the soup just enough for a silky texture without being gloopy.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe is how easy it is to customize to your taste or pantry needs. Over time, I’ve played around with a few variations, and honestly, it’s fun to make it your own.

Variation: I love swapping out the pasta for diced potatoes on colder days — it thickens the soup beautifully and gives it a heartier vibe. Just reduce cooking time slightly for the cubes so they don’t turn to mush.
Dairy Options: If you want a lighter version, replace the cream with whole milk and add a touch of butter for richness, as the recipe notes.
Vegetarian Twist: Skip the chicken and add chickpeas or cannellini beans for protein, plus extra veggies like mushrooms for umami.
Wine Substitute: No wine? No problem — just bump up the chicken stock to keep that depth without alcohol.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe

Step 1: Searing that chicken golden brown

First things first, pat your chicken thighs dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper — that’s the simple seasoning that boosts flavor throughout. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until it looks foamy. Then add the chicken and sear for about 3 minutes on the first side, flipping for another 2 minutes. Don’t worry if they’re not cooked through inside — they’ll finish cooking in the soup later. Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.

Step 2: Building flavor with aromatics and deglazing

Turn the heat down to medium-low and add your chopped onion, garlic, and celery to the pot. Cook for about 3 minutes until the onion softens and everything smells amazing. Then, crank the heat back up to high and pour in the white wine, scraping up those golden bits stuck on the pot — that’s where the flavor magic lives! Let the wine simmer until it’s reduced by about half.

Step 3: Time for broth, pasta, and chicken joins the party

Add the chicken stock, water, salt, and pepper to the pot and bring it all to a boil. Then throw in your pasta shells and cook according to package directions — usually around 10 minutes. Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick. While that’s bubbling away, chop the seared chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it back into the pot to finish cooking with the pasta.

Step 4: Creamy finish and fresh greens

Once the pasta is perfectly al dente, lower the heat to low. Sprinkle in the parmesan and stir until it melts into that beautiful cheesy goodness. Next, mix the cornflour slurry in carefully to thicken things up just right. Then add the cream and chopped spinach, stirring gently until the spinach wilts and the soup becomes luscious and thickened. If it feels too thick, just add a splash more stock or water.

Step 5: Serve and garnish like a pro

Ladle generous bowls of this dreamy soup and sprinkle with the sun-dried tomato strips and their flavorful oil — it adds a pop of color and a subtle tang that really elevates the whole dish. Grab a spoon and dig in!

Top Tip

From all my times making this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe, I’ve learned a few small things that make a big difference. These tips will help you get that perfect texture and flavor every single time.

Don’t skip the sear: Browning the chicken first adds so much depth; it’s worth the few extra minutes upfront.
Deglaze with wine or stock: Scrape up all the bits stuck to the pot — they’re full of flavor and will boost your soup’s taste.
Use a slurry to thicken: Cornflour mixed with water makes the soup nicely creamy without clumps; add it slowly and stir well.
Separate pasta for leftovers: To avoid mushy pasta the next day, store pasta and broth separately — this keeps your leftovers fresh and tasty.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe

Garnishes

I always top this soup with those lovely sun-dried tomato strips and a drizzle of their oil—it adds a tangy brightness and a bit of chewiness that keeps things interesting. Sometimes I toss on a little fresh cracked black pepper or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if I’m feeling spicy. Fresh basil or parsley scattered on top is nice too if you want to add a fresh green pop.

Side Dishes

For sides, crusty bread is my top pick—perfect for sopping up the rich broth. Sometimes I like a simple green salad on the side for a bit of crunch and freshness. If you want heartier, garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks work amazingly well alongside this Tuscan soup.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve made this for special occasions, I love ladling the soup into little mini Dutch ovens or rustic pottery bowls to keep it warm longer and serve a cozy vibe. Adding a parmesan crisp or a small grilled cheese wedge on the side makes the presentation feel a bit fancy without much extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I store leftovers, I always scoop out the pasta and chicken separately from the broth so the pasta doesn’t get all bloated and mushy overnight. Keep both in airtight containers in the fridge and combine when reheating. This little trick keeps the texture just right for day two.

Freezing

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup freezes beautifully if you separate the solids and broth before freezing. Portion everything into freezer-safe containers and label them. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.

Reheating

I find reheating on the stove works best to gently bring the soup back to life without curdling the cream or overcooking the pasta. Use low heat and stir occasionally, adding a splash of stock or water if it’s thicker than you'd like.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! You can use chicken breast if you prefer. Just slice each breast horizontally to make thinner pieces, so they cook evenly and don’t dry out in the soup.

What can I substitute for the white wine?

If you don’t want to use white wine, you can replace it with more chicken stock or use a splash of white grape juice with a bit of vinegar to mimic the acidity. Alternatively, using an alcohol-free white wine works perfectly fine too.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

Definitely! You can do everything up to step 5, then cool the soup and store the pasta, chicken, and broth separately in the fridge. Reheat gently before serving. This helps keep the texture and flavor fresh.

What are some good substitutions for pasta?

You can swap the small pasta shells with small ditalini, orzo, or small macaroni. For gluten-free options, use gluten-free pasta but consider adding a touch more cornflour slurry to thicken. Potatoes or white rice also work well, but adjust cooking times accordingly.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe is one I keep coming back to whenever I want something cozy but still a little special. Its blend of creamy, savory, and fresh flavors always hits the spot and impresses anyone I serve it to. If you’re looking to add a new favorite to your soup rotation, give this one a try—you’ll be so glad you did!