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Homemade Chickarina Soup (Progresso Copycat)

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By: MadelinePosted: 10/13/2020Updated: 03/31/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Did you love Progresso Chickarina soup growing up? Try this Homemade Chickarina Soup recipe for a healthy homemade version of a classic.

Progresso chickarina soup was my comfort food whenever I was sick

These days I rarely have canned soup in the house, but growing up I loved the Progresso chickarina soup. It is so comforting with the chicken, chicken meatballs, pastina, veggies and chicken broth.

I found a can at my fiances parents house the other day and thought, “Wow! I need to try to make a Progresso copycat homemade chickarina soup.”

Chickarina soup has delicious tender chicken meatballs. It was tricky to make these at home, but I realized that if I dropped the raw ground chicken directly into the simmering soup I can make small tender meatballs.

What kitchen tools will I need to make this healthy chicken meatball soup?

  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Large soup pot or dutch oven
  • Mixing bowls
  • Mixing spoon

What ingredients will I need to make this homemade Progresso chickarina soup?

You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this delicious chicken meatball soup at home with simple ingredients.

  • Oil
  • Yellow onion
  • Carrot
  • Celery
  • Chicken thighs
  • Pastina or pearl cous cous
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Ground chicken
  • Egg
  • Fresh parsley
  • Chicken broth

Let’s make Homemade Chickarina Soup (Progresso Copycat)!

Step 1: Simmer broth and chicken thighs

To begin, dice the onion and chop your celery and carrots. Then, heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat.

Then, when the oil is hot add the celery, carrots and onion to the pot along with the salt and pepper. Sauté until the veggies are they are soft and fragrant – about 7 minutes.

Next, add chicken thighs, water and broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer and simmer for 14 minutes uncovered.

As the chicken thighs cook some white foam will rise to the top. You can skim that off with a spoon.

Step 2: Prepare and cook chicken meatballs

While the chicken thighs cook, prepare the chicken meatballs by combing ground chicken, egg, salt and fresh parsley in a mixing bowl. When the chicken thighs have simmered for 14 minutes, remove from the pot, but keep the water simmering.

To make the meatballs, take about 1 heaping  tsp of the chicken meatball mixture and drop each one directly into the simmering broth on the stove. The meatballs will start to rise to the top as they cook.

Step 3: Simmer pastina and finish the soup

Once you have added all of your meatballs to the simmering pot, shred your chicken thighs and add them back to the pot along with the pastina or pearl cous cous.

Then, continue simmering the soup for about 15 minutes. At this point the pasta should be fully cooked and you can remove the soup from the heat.

Lastly, top the soup with parmesan, lemon zest and parsley and serve!

Step 4: Enjoy!

How long will this Progresso copycat chicken soup keep in the fridge?

Once prepared, allow the soup to cool completely. Then, transfer to an airtight container.

The chickarina soup will be good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave.

You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!

Recipe

Homemade Chickarina Soup (Progresso Copycat)

★★★★★ 5 from 22 reviews

A healthy homemade version of Progresso’s famous chickarina soup

Recipe By: Madeline
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 45 minutesTotal: 55 minutes
Print Pin it Rate recipe Save recipe
Servings: 6 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Soup Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1 cup chopped carrot
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 3/4 cup dry pastina or dry pearl cous cous

Chicken Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground chicken breast
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (or 1/2 tbsp dried)

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion and chop your celery and carrots
  2. Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat
  3. When the oil is hot add the celery, carrots and onion to the pot along with the salt and peper
  4. Saute until the veggies are they are soft and fragrant – about 7 minutes
  5. Add chicken thighs, water and broth to the pot and bring to a boil
  6. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 14 minutes uncovered
  7. As the chicken thighs cook some white foam will rise to the top so you can skim that off with a spoon
  8. While the chicken thighs cook prepare the chicken meatballs by combing ground chicken, egg, salt and fresh parsley in a mixing bowl
  9. When the chicken thighs have simmered for 14 minutes, remove from the pot, but keep the water simmering
  10. To make the meatballs, take about 1 heaping  tsp of the chicken meatball mixture and drop each one directly into the simmering broth on the stove. The meatballs will start to rise to the top as they cook
  11. Once you have added all of your meatballs to the simmering pot, shred your chicken thighs and add them back to the pot along with the pastina or pearl cous cous
  12. Continue simmering the soup for about 15 minutes
  13. At this point the pasta should be fully cooked and you can remove the soup from the heat
  14. Top soup with parmesan, lemon zest and parsley and serve!
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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Homemade Chickarina Soup (Progresso Copycat)?

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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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  1. Erica says

    Posted on 10/15 at 7:56 pm

    I made this tonight, but used shredded rotisserie chicken and added spinach. It was delicious (and toddler approved)!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/16 at 11:50 am

      Amazing!! THank you!!

      Reply
  2. James says

    Posted on 10/16 at 11:54 am

    So tasty! And so much better than progressive!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  3. Nora says

    Posted on 10/19 at 6:36 pm

    So good, perfect for a cold night! Got rave reviews from my wife too. Added a little lemon juice towards the end and it was delicious!! Will definitely make again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/20 at 8:30 am

      Wonderful!! Thank you!!

      Reply
    • Antonia Gentiluomo says

      Posted on 12/4 at 2:22 am

      My son struggles with picky eating. This was one of his 5 foods he eats Its a sensory thing, Progresso changed there recipe it is very peppery now and he will not eat it. Im trying this this weekend I hope he eats it!

      Reply
      • Madeline says

        Posted on 12/4 at 3:25 pm

        oh great!! I hope he will eat this!! And the nice thing is you can leave the pepper out completely!

        Reply
  4. Maria T says

    Posted on 11/8 at 3:51 pm

    So so tasty and easy!!! Lemon zest when serving is a must! Sent it to a couple of my friends immediately after eating it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 11/8 at 9:04 pm

      amazing!! Thank you for sharing with friends!!

      Reply
  5. Amanda says

    Posted on 11/11 at 8:33 pm

    So freaking good this will be on repeat.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 11/13 at 10:40 am

      AH yay! Thank you!!

      Reply
  6. Lindsay says

    Posted on 12/16 at 6:58 pm

    So perfect for a snowy night! Very tasty soup.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      Posted on 12/16 at 6:59 pm

      PS I have tried this soup and your tomato meatball – can’t wait to try the others!

      Reply
  7. Aleks says

    Posted on 12/23 at 6:08 pm

    Simple, straightforward and delicious! My husband LOVES soup with pastina, so this is a new staple in our house

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/27 at 6:08 pm

      amazing!! thank you!

      Reply
  8. Alexandria says

    Posted on 1/8 at 8:59 am

    I made this two nights ago, it was delicious! The meatballs are very fluffy and making them yourself always looks impressive. Great recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/8 at 9:13 am

      yes!! I love cooking the meatballs this way. Thank you!!!

      Reply
  9. Lila says

    Posted on 1/10 at 8:05 pm

    Can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on this one so long.. IT’S SO GOOD! I’m usually a little cautious to make a big pot because we don’t rock at leftovers, but we didn’t get burned out on this soup at all!! Very much a new comfort food staple here!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/11 at 10:07 pm

      wonderfuL!! SO glad to hear that!!

      Reply
  10. Kelly says

    Posted on 1/25 at 7:29 pm

    Love this. Super easy to make and delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/26 at 9:41 am

      amazing!! thank you!!

      Reply
  11. Gloria says

    Posted on 4/11 at 6:11 pm

    Truly amazing! I added EXTRA pastina by accident and it was still AMAZING! A fan favorite @ home

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/12 at 1:47 pm

      YAY! Im always a fan of extra pastina 🙂 thank you!!

      Reply
  12. maggie says

    Posted on 8/2 at 1:55 pm

    Needed a comfort soup for my boyfriend who is a picky eater but didn’t want to do the high sodium canned version. This is the PERFECT healthier dupe! 10/10 will be making again

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 8/6 at 10:22 am

      amazing!! thank you!

      Reply
  13. Sarah says

    Posted on 10/11 at 9:36 am

    This was so good and easy to make! I highly recommend it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  14. Jolie says

    Posted on 10/11 at 10:11 am

    Making this weekend! Looks amazing

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/11 at 5:17 pm

      Yay hope it turns out wonderfully!

      Reply
  15. Colleen says

    Posted on 10/11 at 10:12 am

    I made this soup on a chilly day last spring, and I’m so excited soup season is back! This was pretty simple to make, and super flavorful. The meatballs were the best part.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  16. Julia says

    Posted on 10/13 at 11:18 pm

    This soup is a great transition from summer to fall- still has bright flavors but is nice and cozy! My husband and I both loved it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/20 at 2:21 pm

      Thanks Julia! Love that point about summer/fall transition!

      Reply
  17. Rachel says

    Posted on 10/15 at 1:46 pm

    I never ate this as a kid, but it still feels like comfort food. I made it this week when I was feeling a little under the weather. It’s cozy and delicious. Love the pastina and the fresh parsley is a flavor bomb in the meatballs. My meatballs are definitely lopsided from them sticking to my hands, but look like they were made with love and the soup is delicious nonetheless! Great recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  18. Nicole says

    Posted on 10/18 at 7:09 pm

    Just made this for dinner! So much better than the canned stuff. Definitely going in the dinner rotation

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/20 at 2:26 pm

      Totally agree! Thanks so much!

      Reply
  19. Adriana says

    Posted on 10/24 at 8:53 pm

    Easy to make and so flavorful! I did 1.5 cups of celery and carrots to increase the veggies (after following recipe exactly the first time) and it turned out great.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/25 at 6:44 pm

      Yum sounds great!

      Reply
  20. Andrea says

    Posted on 12/22 at 6:16 am

    I finally made this soup and it was delicious! Even my 16 month old enjoyed every bit of it. This will be part of our regular dinner rotation from now on!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/23 at 2:12 pm

      yay!! so happy to hear that

      Reply
  21. jessica says

    Posted on 1/17 at 7:59 pm

    this was absolutely amazing! so simple to make and so satisfying- thank you for this cozy recipe!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  22. Judy says

    Posted on 10/23 at 6:57 pm

    This came out great!! I am a relatively new cook(believe it or not really started cooking after the kid was grown and I was retired). It was easy to follow. I used Trader Joe party meatballs – because that was what I had. but will try the made from scratch meatballs which don’t look intimidating. I also used covalita small soup shells – again because that was what I had. 6 cups broth to 2 cups water – cause the broth box had 48 oz.

    Any advice about freezing – canned Progresso was one of our favorite go tos for a quick lunch. But not only has it gotten quite expensive, but franky it ain’t what it used to be.

    Thank you for this recipe!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/26 at 8:04 pm

      so glad to hear that!! for freezing in the future i’d leave the noodles out because they can absorb quite a bit of liquid and change texture when reheated. Usually I make the soup, freeze it and then make fresh noodles when you thaw. If you want to freeze what you have now just pop it in an airtight container and should be good for up to 3 months

      Reply
  23. Alexa says

    Posted on 10/30 at 12:25 pm

    100000% will be making this again. In my fiancé’s words- “you have to save this recipe”. Keep an eye on what kind of salt you use- I don’t think I use the salt that the creator does so mine needed more. We’ve just added salt as we eat it but still so delicious. Don’t skip the lemon zest and Parmesan on top!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 10/30 at 8:35 pm

      hahahah love to hear that! thanks for noting the salt. I try to keep salt lower on soups because they get saltier as they sit in the fridge and then inevitably I get the “this is too salty comments” lol so its good to know that people can adjust themselves!

      Reply
  24. Robbie says

    Posted on 11/18 at 9:09 pm

    Made this tonight on a cold evening in CO. It was delicious! Absolutely will be making this again. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  25. Megan M says

    Posted on 1/23 at 12:38 pm

    This recipe was the perfect comfort to a rainy January Sunday! Subbed the pastina for orzo and was absolutely delicious! Will make again for sure!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/23 at 8:22 pm

      YUM! Thanks, Megan!

      Reply

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