Chicken Parmesan Soup

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, diced
• Salt & Black pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 8 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 (28 oz) cans San Marzano whole tomatoes, with juices
• 2 ½ cups chicken stock
• 8 oz fusilli pasta, uncooked
• 1 lb chicken tenderloins (or skinless, boneless chicken breasts)
• ¾ cup grated parmesan, plus extra for garnish
• 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, crumbled or grated
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, julienned or torn

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Instructions:

1. Prep & Sauté:
   🔪 Gather all ingredients for easy cooking!
   🥄 Heat a large pot (6 quarts) over medium-high heat. Drizzle 4-5 tbsp olive oil. Add diced onion, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and oregano. Sauté until golden and soft.
   🧄 Toss in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

2. Simmer the Soup:
   🍅 Add tomato paste and stir well. Cook for 30-45 seconds to remove the raw taste.
   🥫 Stir in San Marzano tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

3. Cook the Pasta:
   🍝 While the soup simmers, cook fusilli pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

4. Grill the Chicken:
   🍗 Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill in a pan with a drizzle of oil for a few minutes on each side until cooked through. Slice into strips or chunks and set aside.

5. Blend the Soup:
   🍲 After simmering, blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Add ¾ cup parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning.

6. Assemble & Broil:
   🍜 Add cooked pasta to an oven-safe bowl. Ladle soup over the pasta, add grilled chicken, and top with mozzarella and extra parmesan.
   🔥 Broil briefly until the cheese melts and bubbles.

7. Serve & Garnish:
   🌿 Top with fresh basil, extra parmesan, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for a fresh touch. Enjoy!

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💡 Tips & Tidbits:

• Best tomatoes? Use San Marzano for rich flavor.
• Fusilli or...: Swap for penne or any bite-sized pasta.
• Tender chicken: Opt for tenderloins for juicier results.
• Melty mozzarella: Fresh or whole milk mozzarella is ideal for that oozy, cheesy goodness!

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Enjoy the ultimate cozy, cheesy Chicken Parmesan Soup!!