Name: Chicken Florentine Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 1 cup celery, diced; 1 cup carrots, diced; 1 cup onion, diced; ½ teaspoon salt, plus more as needed; 6 cups chicken stock; 3 cups 10% cream, sometimes called half-and-half or blend; 3 cups rotisserie chicken, pulled or shredded; 4 cups baby spinach; 2 cups gnocchi, pre-packaged; 1 medium lemon, zest only; ½ teaspoon black pepper, ground; ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Chicken Florentine soup is a dish prepared with Florentine spinach, known as a flavorful and tender dish, and is popular in many Italian restaurants. Now I have a recipe for homemade Chicken Florentine soup that is easy to make and delicious to try during the winter.

The main ingredients for Chicken Florentine soup are light cream, fresh spinach, rotisserie chicken, vacuum-sealed potato gnocchi, and you can get it at the store. For chicken, I used Costco chicken and shredded chicken salad and also added pulled. For this recipe, I used 10% half-and-half cream, so the taste is less rich than using 35% heavy cream. This may be suitable for reducing the richness of flavor in your recipe.

When making Chicken Florentine soup, I like to use vacuum-packed gnocchi, because they cook quickly in the soup. However, you can use any pasta that suits your taste. For brightness in the soup, you can add grated lemon zest, this is not inevitable, and you can omit it if you don’t want it.

Why You Should Love Chicken Florentine Soup Recipe

Easy to make, you can have creamy chicken soup on the table and it only takes about 25 to 30 minutes.
The cream-based broth is a wonderful change from standard chicken noodle soup.
Easy and affordable, you probably already have some of the basic ingredients in your house.

Ingredients Notes

Chicken Stock: this ingredient enriches the soup with delicious flavors.
10% Cream (Also called Half-And-Half): This adds a creamy texture to the soup and is not too heavy for the recipe.
Rotisserie Chicken: This ingredient will add rich chicken flavor and texture to Chicken Florentine soup.
Baby Spinach: This will add color, enrich nutrients, and taste somewhat earthy.
Gnocchi, Pre-Packaged: This is a great option to add to soup if you don’t want to cook pasta or rice.
Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese added to Chicken Florentine soup will add a nutty, salty taste, and is good for thickening the soup.
Lemon Zest: This will provide a lemon aroma, brightness, and a citrusy feel.
If you use substitutes, it’s important to know that the taste will be slightly different. But these are the selected ingredients that will work best to modify the original recipe.

Substitute Ingredients

Butter: this ingredient is for stir-frying, and you can replace it with olive oil.
Celery: If you don’t have celery, you can use fennel stalks which can be the solution because it gives a different taste.
Carrots: Sweet potatoes or parsnips are the best substitute for carrots with a similar sweet taste.
Onion: You can replace it with leeks or shallot, but the taste will be a little mild.
10% Cream (Half-And-Half): To make it lighter, you can replace half-and-half with whole milk, if you want it richer you can use 35% heavy cream.
Chicken Stock: If you don’t have chicken stock, you can use beef stock or vegetable stock, but this will change the taste of the soup. If there is, you can replace it with low-sodium chicken broth.
Baby Spinach: You can substitute baby spinach for kale or Swiss chard, but the cooking time is slightly longer.
Pre-Packaged Gnocchi: You can use orzo pasta or small shells when you run out or don’t have gnocchi. You can also use diced potatoes or rice. Please choose according to your taste.
Rotisserie Chicken: If you don’t have one, then canned turkey or chicken is the best substitute. You can also use boneless or skinless chicken in the oven, then shred it.
Lemon Zest: It is good to use for a different flavor.
Parmesan Cheese: Besides parmesan, you can use the Pecorino Romano or Asiago for appear a slightly different cheese taste. And a hard cheese is also a good substitute for a good texture of the soup.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE SOUP VARIATIONS

For a variation of this soup recipe, you can add one of the ingredients below. So, by looking at the ingredients that can be added, you will know that this chicken soup recipe is very rich in variations. Let’s look at the ingredients one by one that can be added to certain variations.

Béchamel Sauce: This is a good ingredient to use if you want it thicker, so substitute it for stock or with some of the broth.

Broccoli: Adding nutrients can add nutrients and can improve the texture.

Bell Peppers: These not only add visual appeal but can also add flavor and sweetness.

Canned Artichokes: By adding artichokes, your soup will taste tangier, with a crunchier and richer texture. Before adding it, roughly chop your artichokes.

Cream Cheese: Adding creamy cheese can add texture and make your soup thicker.

Chili Flakes: If you like spicy in CHICKEN FLORENTINE SOUP, then add chili flakes. The addition of this ingredient is suitable for a spicy version of the soup.

More Variation

Sausage: Enhance the flavor of the soup by adding Italian sausage

Fresh or Dried Herbs: Add herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme. This will make the taste of the dish more complex and delicious.

Mushrooms: Add mushrooms such as cremini or portobello, this will give a meaty taste to your dish.

Garlic: Adds flavor and is great to pair with shallots. The sweet taste of onions will also make the dish richer in taste.

Lentils: This adds protein and texture. For those of you who like CHICKEN FLORENTINE SOUP rich in protein or are looking for protein to balance your body’s nutrition, then don’t hesitate to add lentils to your chicken soup.

Sweet Corn: Adds sweetness to dishes.

Smoked Paprika: This gives the soup a smoky taste adding flavor and comfort to the taste buds.

Tomatoes: The addition of tomatoes in this dish adds a delicious sour taste that makes chicken soup even more irresistible.

White Wine: Another variant of CHICKEN FLORENTINE SOUP is a variation in the depth of sour taste. This is good to add when stir-frying so it can eliminate the presence of alcohol.

How To Make Chicken Florentine Soup

STEP 1:

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven on medium-low heat. Add onions, celery, and carrots and sauté in butter until slightly soft.

STEP 2:

Now you can add chicken stock and salt to balance the taste. Cook until it boils, and now reduce the heat level. Cook for 8 or 9 minutes or watch the vegetables until tender.

STEP 3:

Reduce heat in a low position. Add cream and simmer for five minutes. Add the baby spinach and let it wilt.

STEP 4:

Add chicken, peppers, gnocchi, lemon zest, and grated parmesan cheese. Simmer for 5 minutes and serve while still hot. On top, you can add more grated parmesan cheese to add visual beauty and a softer taste texture.

Recommendation:

Pro-Tips

Florentine soup with chicken will taste better when you eat it the second day after making it.
After you add the stock, make sure you add the cream. Cream added to the gravy liquid will make it thicken.
This soup will thicken in the refrigerator overnight. Before you heat it, add a little chicken stock.

Recipe Notes

Three cups of measured chicken meat are the same as one rotisserie chicken. With this size, it is hoped that it will make it easier for you to replace the chicken.

Don’t throw away the lemon zest, the soup will be delicious without it, but adding lemon zest can provide brightness and acidity that can complement the other ingredients.

Add a dollop of homemade pesto on top of the dish, this will add deliciousness to the meal.

If you have leftovers, then you can extend their shelf life by putting them in an airtight bag and storing them in an airtight container, put them in the refrigerator and they will last for 4 days.

FAQs for Chicken Florentine Soup

Q: How to store Chicken Florentine Soup properly?

A: The right way to store this chicken soup is to put it in an airtight container, put it in the refrigerator, and keep it for 3-4 days. If you want to extend its shelf life to months, then you can freeze it, it will last in the freezer for 2-3 months. The way to thaw it is to leave it overnight in the refrigerator.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can make Chicken Florentine Soup first, prepare the soup according to the instructions and let it cool. Then you can store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken for this soup?

A: Of course, even using a rotisserie chicken can save you time. The method is very easy, just shred the rotisserie chicken and add it to the soup at the final stage of cooking.

Q: How do I thicken this soup?

A: Chicken Florentine Soup can be thickened by adding a slurry of wheat flour, you can also use cornstarch, or by adding your favorite cheese. We usually use parmesan cheese for this.

Q: Can I make this soup dairy-free?

A: Yes, you can make it dairy-free, instead of milk you can use coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Also, use dairy-free butter, or you can use olive oil instead of butter.

Q: What foods are suitable to serve with this Florentine Soup?

A: You can pair this soup with crusty bread, garlic bread, or with a green salad. Also suitable to serve with steamed vegetables.

Q: How can I make the soup more flavorful?

A: If you want to enhance the taste of Chicken Florentine Soup, simply add a pinch of red chili, or white wine, or sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. You can also add fresh herbs such as basil or parsley.

Q: Can I add other vegetables to the soup?

A: Yes, please be expressive with this soup recipe, you can try adding vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, peas, or red beans.

Q: Is This Gluten-Free?

A: You can make this soup gluten-free by using gluten-free flour, and making sure all the ingredients such as stock and seasonings are gluten-free.