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Ellen’s Chicken White Beans Soup Recipe
Chicken White Beans Soup. As the temperature drops and the days shorten, there’s nothing more satisfying than a hot bowl of soup. This heart-healthy and delicious soup offers a perfect blend of flavorful chicken, filling white beans, and nutritious vegetables.
It’s a staple recipe that can suit any diet, whether you’re looking for a healthier diet alternative or just a soul-warming meal.
With its vast nutritional benefits, various possible recipe modifications, and wonderful pairing suggestions.
Preparing this soup gives you more than just a taste of joy—it offers a comforting meal that truly warms the soul. Let’s dig into the charming world of this delightful soup.
The Comfort of Chicken White Bean Soup
Nothing quite says comfort like a bowl of warm, homely soup. Chicken White Bean Soup, with its hearty flavors and texture, brings a delightful combination that sets the definition of comfort food.
Why is Chicken White Beans Soup Comforting?
There are a few reasons why this soup stands as a symbol of comfort:
Warmth:
The soothing warmth of a chicken white bean soup is enough to drive away the cold of any chilly day. It’s like carrying a mini sun inside of your body, spreading its warm rays to every corner.
Aroma:
The smell of the chicken and beans cooking together is akin to a warm embrace. It radiates a feeling of home, triggering our scent memories and making us nostalgic.
Flavors:
The taste of chicken, white beans, and aromatic herbs is a combination made in heaven. A spoonful of this soup brings an explosion of flavors, resulting in a sense of satisfaction and happiness.
“Only the pure in heart can make a good soup”
Ludwig van Beethoven
Comfort Recipes Across Cultures
The Chicken White Bean soup is a classic comfort recipe in many cultures, especially in Southern Europe and Central America.
While the basic premise remains the same, the nuances of flavors and ingredients according to each culture and region add a unique touch to the comfort element attached to this soup.
A bowl of Chicken White Bean Soup brings more than just a meal to the table. It brings love, warmth, and care. As you stir a pot of this comforting soup, you’re not just cooking:
You’re creating an experience, a memory, and a sensation of comfort that would warm any soul.
Pairing Suggestions for Chicken White Bean Soup
When it comes to serving Chicken White Bean Soup, there are a few key foods and beverages that tend to pair quite perfectly due to their distinctive flavors that contrast beautifully with the hearty, rich flavors of the soup. Let’s dive into some of these pairings.
1. Bread Selections
There’s nothing more comforting than a slice of bread to go with your soup. More specifically, for Chicken White Bean Soup, here are two worthy contenders:
- French Baguette: The crispy crust and soft interior of a classic French Baguette is an excellent accompaniment to this soup. Its light flavor doesn’t overshadow the soup, rather providing a textural contrast.
- Ciabatta: Rustic with a dense crumb, ciabatta sops up the soup while retaining a pleasant chewiness.
2. Wine Pairings
In terms of wine, several options can exceedingly complement the flavor profile of the soup:
- Chardonnay: The apple, pear, peach, and oak notes in a beautifully rounded Chardonnay would provide an interesting contrast to the creaminess of the Chicken White Bean Soup.
- Pinot Gris: If you prefer white wines, go for a Pinot Gris. Its fruit-driven character and slight sweetness perfectly balance the hearty elements of the soup.
3. Light Salads
A light, crunchy salad can provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, hearty soup. Try:
- Green Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can lighten the meal’s palate and provide an enjoyable crunch.
- Tomato Basil Salad: The tang of tomatoes and the freshness of basil complement the creaminess of the soup.
Remember, these are only suggestions. The best pairing is ultimately the one that makes your meal most enjoyable to you!
“Soup is cuisine’s kindest course, and when combined with the right accompaniments, it can transform a meal into an unforgettable culinary experience.”
Virginia Woolf
That’s the joy of food pairing with recipes like the Chicken White Bean Soup. It’s all about taking a nourishing, comforting dish and making it even more of a culinary delight by pairing it with foods that enhance and complement its flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What makes the Chicken White Bean Soup nutrient-rich?
The combination of chicken, white beans, vegetables, and herbs makes this soup packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, the chicken broth used in this soup is a source of collagen, which supports joint health.
2. Can I make a vegetarian version of this soup?
Absolutely! For a vegetarian variant, you can substitute the chicken with more beans or add other hearty vegetables like potatoes and squash. Use a vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
3. Should I use canned beans or cook dried beans?
Both are fine. Canned beans are quicker and more convenient, while dried beans might require soaking overnight but would yield a more wholesome taste as in our recipe in full detail below.
4. How can I store and reheat the soup?
You can store the soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to five days. For reheating, use a microwave or heat it on the stove until hot enough.
5. What can I pair with Chicken White Bean Soup for a complete meal?
The soup itself is quite filling. You can pair it with a side of garlic bread or a green salad for a complete meal.
Conclusion
In essence, the Chicken White Bean Soup stands not just as a delightful dish, but also as a symbol of comfort and nourishment. Enriched with protein-packed chicken and fiber-rich white beans, this soup serves ideally for a hearty meal.
With its easily adaptable recipe and numerous pairing options, it offers versatility to suit any palate. Always remember that the soup’s heart lies in its simplicity and the love with which it’s cooked.
As we part, there’s an invitation for you to explore, create, and enjoy this soul-warming dish – because food is more than mere sustenance, it’s a way to convey care, warmth, and love.
Chicken White Beans Soup Recipe to Warm Your Soul
Equipment
- 1 Immersive Blender
Ingredients
- 350 g White Beans
- 500 g Chicken Shredded
- 1 Red Onion Chopped
- 1 Carrot
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 2 Stalks Celery Chopped
- Salt To your taste
- Pepper To your taste
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Carrot Shredded
- 1 bunch Parsley Chopped
- 1 tsp Sage
- 2 tsp Provence Seasoning
- 150 ml Heavy cream
- 80 Parmesan/Romano Cheese
Instructions
Beans Preparations
- Before cooking, I recommend draining the water and then cooking the beans in new water to reduce cooking time and not deprive the beans of their delicate nutty flavor.
- After boiling, you need to change the water again and add 1-2 tablespoons of oil for a softer taste.
- Cook the beans until fully cooked. Parallel to the beans boil chicken.
Vegetable Sauté
- Now finely chop 2 onions and 3-4 cloves of garlic.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onions until translucent.
- Add the chopped garlic, stir and cook over low heat.
- Peel the carrot and grate it on a coarse grater. (I had already grated frozen carrots in my freezer, therefore I skipped this step)
- Chop 2 celery stalks.
- Add carrots into the pan with onions. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir and add salt to your taste. Stir again and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Now add half the quantity of cooked beans and 2.5 cups of chicken broth.
- Cook for 15 minutes.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried sage and cook for 1 minute more.
- Now blend it with an immersion blender.
- Add the bean puree to the pot with hot chicken broth.
- Add the remaining beans.
- Add boiled chicken.
- Add 2 teaspoons of Italian or Provence seasoning.
- Add freshly ground pepper to your taste.
- Cover and let cook for a couple of minutes more.
- Add 1 cup of heavy cream and stir. Cook for 1-2 minutes and turn the heat off.
The Serving
- Toast some bread tossed with Olive oil until golden brown.
- Then rub the toasted bread with the garlic.
- Serve the soup, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and drizzle with Extra Virgin olive oil.
- Topped with parmesan or Romano Cheese
Video
Notes
Home-cooked meals always taste better.
