Name: Chicken Pastina
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 cups prepared chicken broth; salt to taste; 1 cup stelline (star-shaped) pastina, or other pastina such as acini di pepe; freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (1.5 ounces by weight); extra virgin olive oil to taste

Chicken Pastina

Chef John's chicken pastina is like a big, warm hug from an Italian grandma, a comfort food that will, quite literally, change your mood. This simple soup can be ready in 15 minutes.

15 min total 5 min prep 10 min cook 2 320 cal

Ingredients

2 serv.

4 cups prepared chicken broth
salt to taste
1 cup stelline (star-shaped) pastina, or other pastina such as acini di pepe
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (1.5 ounces by weight)
extra virgin olive oil to taste

Instructions

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1 Bring broth to a simmer over medium-high heat. Taste; season with salt if needed.
2 Reduce heat to medium, and stir in pastina. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 seconds less than the package directions, 5 to 8 minutes.
3 Turn off heat, and stir in black pepper, butter, and some of the grated cheese. Stir constantly until butter disappears.
4 Ladle pastina into hot bowls. Top with more freshly ground black pepper and remaining Parmigiano Reggiano; drizzle with olive oil and serve.