Cozy Tuscan Chicken Soup

As seen in Satisfying Entrées for Every Table.

Get ready for a creamy bowl of goodness where rotini pasta swirls with juicy chicken, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and basil in a broth turned silky with a splash of cream. Garlic and Italian herbs turn the kitchen into an aroma haven while everything bubbles away. Just before serving, pile on some more parmesan and a scatter of chopped basil. This is the kind of meal you want when it’s cold out or you just need something a little extra cozy. Grab some crunchy bread or toss a quick salad and you're set.

Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:33:14 GMT
Steaming bowl loaded with pasta, chicken, and melted cheese. Save Pin
Steaming bowl loaded with pasta, chicken, and melted cheese. | foodthingle.com

All the cozy Tuscan-inspired vibes you love, but in a bowl—this creamy chicken soup is bursting with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. Rotini pasta gives it a filling bite, and the cream creates that dreamy, rich finish. I can never seem to keep leftovers around for long!

Cozy Ingredients

  • Parmesan cheese: shower over the top at the end, go for real parm and grate if you can
  • Salt and pepper: season to taste, I’m a fan of freshly cracked
  • Heavy cream: Only use the good stuff, makes your soup creamy and rich
  • Italian seasoning: Gives the soup herby depth, make sure it’s fresh
  • Rotini pasta: use any short pasta if needed, holds on to the broth perfectly
  • Chopped basil: Fresh is best, skip wilted leaves, toss in at the end for a flavor boost
  • Chicken broth: forms the backbone of the soup, go low-sodium if you want more control over salt
  • Tomato paste: thickens the soup and adds loads of depth, rich color is a good sign
  • Fresh garlic: Make sure the cloves are plump, brings a ton of aroma
  • Yellow onion: Crisp ones work best, adds a sweet-savory kick
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: Punchy and tangy, oil-packed versions have loads of flavor
  • Shredded chicken: Rotisserie works for quick nights, tops for tenderness and protein

Simple Steps

Pour and Finish:
Once your noodles are ready, turn off the burner. Splash in that heavy cream and give everything a good stir. Taste it—add more seasoning if needed.
Cook the Pasta:
Toss your rotini in next, making sure it doesn’t clump at the bottom. Cook with the lid off for about ten to twelve minutes, or until you get that perfect bite.
Time to Season:
It’s time for salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir them in and let the soup bubble gently for a few extra minutes so the flavors come together.
Build the Base:
Drop in your shredded chicken and pour in the broth. Give it all a nice stir, then crank up the heat just enough to get things boiling softly.
Make the Tomato Mix Sing:
Add both your sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil to the pot. Let them fry up with the onion and garlic for a minute or two, then mix in the tomato paste. Scrape the bottom—it’ll get deeper in flavor and color fast.
Sauté the Stars:
Heat oil in your biggest soup pot. Toss in diced onion and minced garlic, cooking over medium. Stir a lot—they’ll soften and get golden after about five to eight minutes, which makes everything taste awesome later.
Chop and Prep:
Dice up your onion, mince the garlic, chop basil and the sun-dried tomatoes, measure out the tomato paste plus the rest. Set everything handy on the counter so cooking goes smooth.
Bowl and Top:
Ladle it into bowls steaming hot, drown with parmesan, sprinkle extra basil if you’ve got it, and dig in while it’s piping.
A bowl of pasta with meat and sauce. Save Pin
A bowl of pasta with meat and sauce. | foodthingle.com

Basil with sun-dried tomato is always a winning combo in my book. Once, I made this for my mother-in-law and she immediately begged for the details. Now it’s a staple for our whole crew!

Easy Storage Tips

Leftovers stay fresh in the fridge up to four days if you seal the container well. I like to keep noodles and soup separate when saving any—prevents the pasta from turning soggy. Freezing works if you leave out the pasta, and then just heat the base gently and toss in fresh cooked rotini when you serve. Best trick for perfect bowls every time!

Swap It Up

No rotisserie? Cook up and shred your own chicken breast or thighs. Out of rotini? Penne or fusilli hold up great too. Lighten things up with coconut cream or half and half. If basil is gone, baby spinach with some dried basil gets that herbiness going.

A bowl of soup with a spoon in it. Save Pin
A bowl of soup with a spoon in it. | foodthingle.com

Serving Ideas

Nothing’s better than swiping that creamy broth with garlic bread. A fresh green salad is awesome on the side. Finish with a squeeze of lemon or pile on more parm if you want a zippy, extra cheesy touch.

Fun Backstory

This soup takes cues from the classic Marry Me Chicken, but swaps the pan for a pot. Think Italian-American vibes—warming, creamy, crave-worthy. I pull this out all through chilly months, and it’s always gone first at family get-togethers.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Is leftover chicken okay here?

Definitely! Shredded chicken you’ve already cooked or store-bought rotisserie chicken is just right. Toss it in along with the broth like usual.

→ Which pasta should I pick?

Go for rotini—the spirals really grab onto that creamy sauce. Penne and fusilli work in a pinch too.

→ How can I make it without any dairy?

Just swap in your favorite dairy-free option like coconut or cashew cream, and either skip the parmesan or use a plant-based cheese swap.

→ Is it good for making ahead?

You sure can! Cook everything up to adding the pasta and cream. Later on, heat it up gently, pop those in, and serve—not mushy, just right.

→ What’s good to top it off?

Try a sprinkle of basil, more parmesan, or a splash of olive oil for an easy boost to both look and taste.

Tuscan Chicken Bowl

Rotini tossed with juicy chicken, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and plenty of Tuscan flair for a real comfort fix.

Preparation Time
15 Minutes
Cooking Time
20 Minutes
Overall Time
35 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Simple

Regional Style: American

Output: 6 Number of Servings

Special Diets: ~

What You'll Need

→ Main Ingredients

01 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
02 3 ounces tomato paste
03 3 to 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, chopped up
04 4 cups chicken broth
05 4 cloves garlic, smashed or minced
06 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
08 1 pound pulled chicken
09 1 medium yellow onion, diced
10 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped up
11 salt and black pepper, as much as you like

→ For Garnish

12 grated parmesan cheese

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Spoon the soup into your bowls, then throw on plenty of grated parmesan before digging in.


A bowl of pasta with meat and sauce.
Step 02

Take the pot off the burner. Pour in the heavy cream and give it a good stir. Taste, and if you think it needs more salt or pepper, go for it.

Step 03

Dump in the dry rotini pasta. Let it bubble away for about 10-12 minutes (check your box), until the noodles are just how you like.


A bowl of soup with a spoon in it.
Step 04

Pour in your chicken broth. Turn up the heat to get it boiling, then let it chill out on a simmer. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to your liking.

Step 05

Squish in the tomato paste and stir around for a minute. Toss in the shredded chicken and swirl to mix it up well.

Step 06

Throw in your chopped sun-dried tomatoes and the fresh basil. Let them warm up with the others for a minute or so.

Step 07

Heat your big pot over medium. Drizzle in just a little oil, then cook the chopped onion and garlic together until they’re soft and start getting color.

Step 08

Get all your ingredients measured and ready to go. Make sure the chicken’s shredded and you’ve already chopped all the veggies.

Additional Tips

  1. If you're getting this ready ahead of time, don't add the pasta until just before you serve. Otherwise, the noodles might drink up a bunch of broth and turn mushy.
  2. Sun-dried tomatoes bring a strong, tangy punch. If you want a softer flavor, back off on how many you add.

Essential Tools

  • Big soup pot
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • There's dairy in the parmesan cheese and the heavy cream.
  • There's gluten in the rotini noodles.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 412
  • Fat Content: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Protein: 32 g