This soup is like a warm hug from the past, evoking a sense of comfort and nostalgia. The idea is that you can easily put it together using ingredients that are probably sitting in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. Chicken soup doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s the straightforward, humble ingredients that work their magic, soothing your soul and making you feel better. So, enjoy my super easy chicken soup recipe—it never fails to make me feel better, and I hope it does the same for you!

Chicken and Stars (Pastina) Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
5 carrots, diced
4 stalks of celery, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
4 cups water (or chicken broth), divided
3/4 cup star-shaped pastina
1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)

Step 1

Preheat a deep sauté pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and dried thyme (if desired). Drizzle with olive oil.

Step 2

Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the preheated sauté pan or pot. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken thighs skin side down. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the skin is golden brown and releases easily from the bottom of the pan. Flip the chicken over and brown the other side for another 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add carrots, celery, and onion to the pan and stir so they make contact with the bottom of the pan. After 2-3 minutes, add the garlic. After 1 minute, season everything generously with salt and pepper, add the bay leaf, and 2 cups of water (or chicken broth). Cover and turn the heat to medium. Simmer covered for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the chicken from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Using a knife, cut out and remove the bones and discard them. Discard the skin if desired. Dice the chicken thigh meat into small pieces and return it to the pan.

Step 5

Add the star-shaped pastina to the sauté pan along with 2 cups of water (or chicken broth). Stir, cover, and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste test the soup and add additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Enjoy your Chicken and Stars Soup!