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Easy Chicken Meatball Soup with Spinach and Pasta

Chicken meatball soup with spinach and pasta pairs tender chicken meatballs with ditalini in a savory broth. The soup finishes with wilted baby spinach and a bright splash of lemon juice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 33 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 0.33 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For the soup
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion medium, diced
  • 2 carrots medium, diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 8 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup ditalini pasta
  • 5 oz baby spinach
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart Dutch oven

Method
 

Make the meatballs
  1. In a medium bowl, gently mix the ground chicken, panko, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until just combined.
  2. With damp hands, shape the mixture into about 20 meatballs, each about 1 inch across.
Cook the soup
  1. Heat the olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
  2. Stir in the broth, salt, and pepper, and bring the soup to a boil over high heat.
  3. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, add the meatballs, and cook uncovered for 8 minutes.
  4. Stir in the ditalini and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is tender and the largest meatball reaches 165°F in the center.
  5. Stir in the spinach and lemon juice and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the spinach is wilted.

Notes

For tender meatballs, mix the chicken mixture only until just combined. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days; freezing is not recommended because the pasta can soften. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko and pasta.