Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup (Printable)

Italian-inspired soup with grilled chicken, tomatoes, herbs, and gooey Parmesan for a comforting meal.

# Required Ingredients:

→ For the Soup

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 large carrot, diced
07 - 2 celery stalks, diced
08 - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
09 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ For Finishing

13 - 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
16 - 1 cup garlic croutons or toasted bread cubes

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow to rest, then dice or shred into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are softened, approximately 5 minutes.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, dried basil, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - Stir in the grilled chicken and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Just before serving, stir in half of the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until melted.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining cheeses, fresh basil, and a handful of garlic croutons.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The grilled chicken gives it a smoky depth that regular boiled chicken can't touch, making every spoonful feel intentional.
  • You get that melted cheese comfort without needing to commit to an actual Parmesan dish, so it feels lighter but still deeply satisfying.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, which means you can actually enjoy your evening instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the chicken rest after grilling; those few minutes let the juices redistribute so your meat stays tender instead of turning tough and dry.
  • Add the cheese off the heat or you risk it getting stringy and separating, which turns your beautiful soup into something grainy.
03 -
  • Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store works beautifully if you're in a hurry, though grilling it yourself gives you better control and a cleaner flavor.
  • Don't stir the soup constantly after you add the chicken—let it simmer undisturbed so the flavors meld instead of staying separate and scattered.
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