Why This Chicken Farro Soup Recipe Works So Well

This chicken farro soup recipe has earned its place as a top family favorite for several compelling reasons. Primarily, it’s incredibly filling. The combination of lean chicken, nutrient-dense farro, and a medley of vegetables creates a robust soup that truly satisfies hunger, ensuring that everyone leaves the dinner table full and happy. This eliminates the need for multiple courses or additional side dishes, simplifying your mealtime routine.

Beyond its satisfying nature, this recipe embodies the convenience of a one-dish meal. You won’t need to spend extra time preparing sides, as this soup is a complete package. It’s packed with essential vegetables, high-quality proteins, and wholesome grains, providing a balanced and nutritious meal in a single pot. For those occasions when you desire a little something extra, consider pairing this hearty soup with a gourmet grilled cheese, such as our Gruyere Grilled Cheese, for an elevated soup-and-sandwich experience.

Farro is a standout ingredient in this recipe and one of our favorite grains to incorporate. Widely celebrated in Italian and Mediterranean cooking, this ancient grain is renowned for its delightful chewy texture and nutty flavor. What truly sets farro apart are its impressive nutritional benefits: it’s exceptionally high in fiber, protein, and a wealth of other essential vitamins and minerals. These qualities make it a fantastic and healthier alternative to traditional rice, adding depth and substance to your soup while boosting its nutritional profile. Its ability to absorb flavors also contributes significantly to the overall richness of the dish.

This ultimate family meal is perfect for all ages, especially if your kids enjoy a warm bowl of soup. To elevate the experience and add a delightful crunch, consider topping individual servings with some Homemade Italian Parmesan Croutons. This simple addition brings extra texture and flavor, making each spoonful even more enjoyable.

If you are looking for a more classic soup that’s equally comforting, you might also try our Chicken Tortellini Soup.

Let’s dive into the key ingredients for this delicious Chicken Farro Soup and explore some flexible substitutions to suit your pantry and preferences.

Farro: As the star grain of this soup, farro brings a wonderful chewy texture and a subtle, earthy, nutty flavor. It’s a remarkably healthy ancient grain, rich in fiber and protein, making it a fantastic addition to your diet. If you don’t have farro on hand, or prefer another grain, you can easily substitute it with white rice, brown rice, or lentils. Remember that cooking times will vary: white rice only needs about 15 minutes of simmering, so add it only after you remove the chicken to avoid overcooking. Brown rice will require a longer cooking time, similar to farro. For a gluten-free alternative, quinoa can also work well, cooking in about 15-20 minutes.

Chicken broth (or bone broth): The quality of your broth significantly impacts the soup’s overall flavor. Chicken broth provides a robust base, but for an even richer taste and added nutritional benefits, consider using chicken bone broth. Bone broth has gained popularity for its higher protein content, beneficial collagen, and often lower sodium levels compared to regular broth. While it has a slightly different, more complex flavor profile, either option will yield a delicious soup. Opt for a low-sodium version if you want more control over the seasoning.

Seasoning: Our preferred blend for this chicken farro soup includes a harmonious mix of paprika, turmeric, and cardamom. Paprika adds a lovely color and mild, sweet pepper notes, turmeric contributes an earthy warmth and its well-known anti-inflammatory properties, while cardamom introduces a unique, aromatic sweetness. This combination creates a distinct and comforting flavor. However, feel free to customize! You could experiment with curry and ginger for an Indian-inspired twist, or keep it simple yet effective with just salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. A good Italian seasoning blend (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary) would also be excellent.

Vegetables: The classic mirepoix (carrots, onion, celery) forms the aromatic foundation of this soup, building deep flavor from the start. Roma tomatoes add a touch of sweetness and acidity, balancing the richness. The optional Calabrian pepper (or jalapeño) introduces a gentle heat that brightens the entire dish. Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, spinach, kale, or bell peppers towards the end of the cooking process for added nutrients and color.

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used here for their lean protein and ease of shredding. For a deeper flavor, you could use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which tend to stay more moist during simmering. If you’re short on time, cooked shredded rotisserie chicken can be added at the very end, just to warm through.

Vegetarian option: If you’re looking to adapt this recipe to be meat-free, it’s easily done! Simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For the protein, substitute the chicken with chickpeas, which provide a similar satisfying texture and absorb the soup’s wonderful flavors. You could also add hearty mushrooms or white beans for extra substance.

*Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for exact measurements and a complete list of ingredients.

How to Make Delicious Chicken Farro Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting a truly flavorful soup involves developing layers of taste throughout the entire cooking process. The initial step of searing the chicken is crucial; it not only enhances the flavor and texture of the chicken itself but also creates delicious brown bits, known as ‘fond,’ at the bottom of the pot. This fond will later be deglazed, infusing the entire soup with a rich, complex flavor that is simply irresistible.

Step 1: Sear the Chicken. Begin by seasoning your chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add a touch of olive oil if needed, then carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the pot. Sear them for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until they develop a beautiful golden brown crust. This searing locks in flavor and creates those crucial fond bits. Remove the seared chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate; it will finish cooking in the soup later.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the same pot, scraping up any delicious brown bits from the bottom. Stir in your chopped carrots, onion, and celery (the classic mirepoix). Sauté these vegetables gently for about 8 minutes, or until they have softened and become translucent. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.

Step 3: Layer the Seasonings. In a small bowl, combine the oregano, paprika, turmeric, cardamom, and 1 teaspoon of salt. This pre-mixing ensures even distribution. Now, stir in half of this seasoning mix with your sautéed vegetables. We season in layers to build complexity and depth of flavor. Reserve the remaining seasoning for a later step.

Step 4: Add Garlic and Tomatoes. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste to the pot with the vegetables. Sauté for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly to cook out the raw flavor of the tomato paste and allow it to caramelize slightly, deepening its umami. Then, stir in the chopped Roma tomatoes and continue to sauté for an additional 5 minutes, allowing them to break down and release their juices, contributing to the rich broth.

Step 5: Simmer the Soup Base. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Return your seared chicken back into the soup. Now, add the cup of farro, the remaining half of your seasoning mix, the fresh chopped parsley, and the bay leaves. For an extra layer of umami depth, I highly recommend adding a Parmesan rind at this stage if you have one – it will slowly melt and infuse the broth with incredible savory notes.

Step 6: Cook and Shred Chicken. Allow the soup to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165℉ (74℃). This ensures the chicken is perfectly cooked through. Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot and transfer it to a cutting board. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes; this allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken tender. Once rested, use two forks to easily shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 7: Finish the Simmer. Continue simmering the chicken farro soup for an additional 15 minutes. This allows the farro to fully cook and become tender, and for all the flavors to meld beautifully. During this time, the soup will thicken slightly. Taste the soup and adjust the salt to your preference. You may find you need to add extra salt, especially if you used a low-sodium bone broth instead of regular broth.

Step 8: Final Touches and Serve. Before serving, retrieve and discard the bay leaves (and the Parmesan rind, if used). Squeeze the fresh juice from ½ a lemon directly into the soup. This brightens all the flavors and adds a zesty finish. Finally, return the shredded chicken to the soup, stir gently, and your comforting homemade Chicken Farro Soup is ready to be served! Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired.

Pro-Tips for the Best Chicken Farro Soup

• Safe Tasting: Always remember that the chicken was initially raw when added back to the soup. For food safety, wait at least 10 minutes after returning the cooked, shredded chicken to the hot soup before taking a taste. This ensures everything is thoroughly heated.
• Long Simmer, Deep Flavor: This soup is fantastic for extended simmering. You can leave it simmering on low heat for several hours, allowing the flavors to deepen and intensify. Just be mindful that as the soup simmers, liquid will evaporate. To prevent it from becoming too salty or thick, add extra chicken broth or water occasionally as needed. This also makes it a perfect make-ahead meal or for a cozy day at home.
• Don’t Waste That Parmesan Rind: As mentioned in Step 5, a forgotten rind of Parmesan cheese can be a secret weapon for depth of flavor. Add it to the pot with the broth and bay leaves. It will slowly dissolve, infusing the soup with incredible umami, and can be removed before serving.
• Fresh Herbs at the End: While dried herbs are great for simmering, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley (or even fresh basil or dill) just before serving adds a vibrant burst of color and fresh flavor that truly elevates the dish.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty loaf of Italian bread or sourdough is the perfect accompaniment to soak up every last drop of this savory broth.

How to Store and Reheat Chicken Farro Soup for Best Results

Making a large batch of Chicken Farro Soup is ideal, and proper storage ensures you can enjoy delicious leftovers for days. One of my favorite kitchen tips to safely bring down the temperature of a large pot of soup quickly is to prepare an ice bath. Fill your sink with a generous amount of ice and cold water, then carefully place the pot of soup (with the lid off) into the ice bath. Stir the soup occasionally, and it will cool down rapidly, typically within 15-20 minutes. This quick cooling process is crucial for food safety, preventing bacteria growth by not allowing the soup to sit at room temperature for an extended period.

Once cooled, transfer the chicken farro soup into airtight containers. For refrigerator storage, it will remain fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. If you’re planning for longer-term storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion, and freeze for up to 6 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

To reheat, the best method is to place the desired amount of soup in a pot on the stove over medium heat. Stir occasionally, heating until it is thoroughly warmed through. If the soup has thickened considerably during storage (farro tends to absorb more liquid over time), you can thin it out by adding a splash of extra chicken broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave, stirring halfway through, until hot.

Chicken Farro Soup Recipe FAQs

EASY Chicken Farro Soup

Vincent DelGiudice