Healthy Recipes Soup Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto 4.7 (47) 46 Reviews This fragrant, Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients--boneless, skinless chicken breast, bagged baby spinach and canned beans. It features a simple homemade basil pesto swirled in at the end to add a fresh herb flavor. If you are very pressed for time, you can substitute 3 to 4 tablespoons of a store-bought basil pesto. By Nancy Baggett Updated on April 18, 2024 Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Rate PRINT Share Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 5 Yield: 5 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Appropriate Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Low-Sodium Low Added Sugar High-Fiber Heart-Healthy High-Protein Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients 2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided ½ cup carrot or diced red bell pepper 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 8 ounces), cut into quarters 1 large clove garlic, minced 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 ½ teaspoons dried marjoram 6 ounces baby spinach, coarsely chopped 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans or great northern beans, rinsed ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ⅓ cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves Freshly ground pepper to taste ¾ cup plain or herbed multigrain croutons for garnish (optional) Directions Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add carrot (or bell pepper) and chicken; cook, turning the chicken and stirring frequently, until the chicken begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Stir in broth and marjoram; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken pieces to a clean cutting board to cool. Add spinach and beans to the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, Parmesan and basil in a food processor (a mini processor works well). Process until a coarse paste forms, adding a little water and scraping down the sides as necessary. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Stir the chicken and pesto into the pot. Season with pepper. Heat until hot. Garnish with croutons, if desired. Originally appeared: EatingWell Soups Special Issue April 2016 Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 227 Calories 9g Fat 18g Carbs 19g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 5 Serving Size about 1 1/2 cups Calories 227 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 18g 7% Dietary Fiber 6g 21% Total Sugars 2g Protein 19g 39% Total Fat 9g 12% Saturated Fat 2g 10% Cholesterol 29mg 10% Vitamin A 3866IU 77% Vitamin C 29mg 33% Folate 77mcg 19% Sodium 211mg 9% Calcium 93mg 7% Iron 2mg 12% Magnesium 44mg 10% Potassium 525mg 11% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved