1hr 20min prep: 28min cook: 52min
Pasta makes a meal in this soup and salad combo.Notes:
- I like buying the stir-fry chicken strips from the butcher. Ask for strips that don’t have the tendon.
- Bibb lettuce is also referred to as Boston or butter lettuce. If you are having trouble finding it at your store, ask your produce person to point it out.
Ingredients
Produce
- Avocado — 2
- Bibb Lettuce — 5 Cups
- Carrots — 3⁄4 Cup
- Celery — 3⁄4 Cup
- Fresh Lemon Juice — 2 Tablespoons
- Fresh Parsley — 3 Tablespoons
- Fresh Thyme — 4 Sprigs
- Garlic — 2 Cloves
- Onions — 1⁄2 Cup
- Radishes — 8
- Shallot — 1 Tablespoon
Meat & Seafood
- Chicken Tenders, Boneless — 6 Ounces
Cheese & Lunchmeat
- Parmesan Cheese, Grated — 4 Teaspoons
Dairy & Eggs
- Butter, Unsalted — 2 Tablespoons
- Heavy Cream — 2 Cups
Grains & Pasta
- Penne Pasta — 1 1⁄2 Cups
Canned Goods, Soups & Mixes
- Chicken Stock, Low Sodium — 2 Cups
Frozen
- Frozen Peas — 2⁄3 Cup
Spice & Baking
- Black Pepper
- Dried Bay Leaves — 2
- Dried Sage — 1⁄2 Teaspoon
- Flour — 2 Tablespoons
- Kosher Salt
Condiments, Oils & Dressings
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 2 Tablespoons, 4 Teaspoons
- Mayonnaise — 2 Tablespoons
Beverages
- Dry White Wine — 1⁄2 Cup
Equipment
Appliances
- Stove Top
Cooking Equipment
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
- Ladle
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowl, Large
- Mixing Bowl, Small
- Peeler
- Pot, Large (4-6 QT)
- Whisk
Prep Steps
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Cut an onion into 1/4 inch dice to measure the indicated amount.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Peel carrots and cut into 1/4 inch pieces to measure the indicated amount. Add to the onions.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Cut celery into 1/4 inch dice to measure the indicated amount. Add to carrots and onions.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Smash the garlic under the side of your chef’s knife to remove the peel. Mince the garlic, then add to celery, carrots and onions.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Trim parsley leaves from the stems and finely chop to measure the indicated amount.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Cut the root end off the head of Bibb lettuce. Peel away the leaves, leaving them whole, or for very large pieces, tear them in half. Place the indicated amount of leaves in a large mixing bowl or salad bowl.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Slice the radishes very thinly. Place in the bowl with the lettuce.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Squeeze the fresh lemon juice into a small mixing bowl to measure the indicated amount.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Finely chop a shallot to measure the indicated amount. Add to the lemon juice.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Trim parsley leaves from the stems and finely chop to measure the indicated amount. Add to the lemon juice and shallot.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Add the mayonnaise and grated Parmesan cheese to the lemon juice, parsley and shallot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk to combine well. Cover and refrigerate.
Cook Steps
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Cut chicken into 1/2 inch diced pieces, then season with salt and pepper.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and warm.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Once oil is warm, add the chicken. Oil should sizzle when you add the chicken. Sear until golden brown and nicely caramelized, stirring as it cooks to brown evenly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate. Save the pot.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Place the chicken pot back over medium heat. There should be enough oil to cover bottom of pot. If not, add more olive oil and warm.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Once oil is warm, add garlic, onions, carrots, celery and dried sage. Crush the sage between your fingertips as you add it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until vegetables are tender and onions are translucent. Stir often.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Once onions are translucent, add butter and let melt. Then, add flour and cook while stirring for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Pour in white wine and use a spoon to scrape any bits off the bottom of the pot. Add thyme sprigs, dried bay leaves, heavy cream and chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Place chicken back into the pot along with pasta. Bring back to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and cook until pasta noodles are tender and chicken is cooked through, about [15-20 minutes]. Continue to stir often.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Slice the avocado in half lengthwise and twist both halves to separate. Stab the pit with the knife blade and twist to release. Use the knife tip to score the avocado crosswise in both directions, then use a spoon to scoop the flesh out. Add to the bowl of lettuce and radish.
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Once pasta noodles are tender and chicken is cooked through, remove thyme sprigs and dried bay leaves. Check final seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste, if necessary. Stir in parsley and peas. Place back over medium heat and simmer for another 3-5 minutes until peas are cooked through.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the lemon juice and mayonnaise mixture, while whisking continuously, to create the creamy Parmesan dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine.
- [ Bibb Lettuce with Radish, Avocado and Creamy Parmesan Dressing ] Serve the salad from the salad bowl or transfer to dinner plates. Ready to eat!
- [ Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup ] Ladle creamy chicken pasta soup into bowls and serve warm!