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    Home / Soups / Cheesy Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup, and Filling an Empty Bowl with Something that Sustains

    Cheesy Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup, and Filling an Empty Bowl with Something that Sustains

    February 18, 2015 by Ingrid Beer 7 Comments

    In the cold depths of a grey winter, when the snow seems to endlessly fall and the icy chill surrounds mercilessly both day and night, the soul longs for warmth and comfort in the way of hearty and cozy sustenance, and little provides that better than a hot, hearty bowl of home-cooked soup.

    Cheesy Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup, and Filling an Empty Bowl with Something that Sustains

    When one pulls an empty bowl out of a cupboard, and knows exactly with what hot, rich, tangy, cheesy and savory liquid one is about to fill that bowl with, there is a brilliant moment of immense anticipation of the divine goodness that is to come as steps are taken towards the large pot that sits beckoning on the stove, waiting to be gleefully dipped into.

    Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup | thecozyapron.com

    Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup | thecozyapron.com

    Lid is lifted, steam unfurls, and ladle is plunged into the depths of a piping-hot and delectable velvety-ness, then lifted out full of good content—hearty, life-sustaining content—and excitedly poured into that empty bowl that eagerly awaits to proudly hold and keep such important treasure.

    Ah...that bowl.

    How it longs to be filled with what is good, and what sustains.

    How it desires to do the job of being the best vessel that it can possibly be in that moment, which is to simply be filled with food that is good, and that does good for a soul that needs it.

    That is its divine and simple purpose, after all.

    And in many ways, I see myself as an empty bowl.

    Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup | thecozyapron.com

    Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup | thecozyapron.com

    I see myself as a vessel that is ready and willing to be filled with a food that sustains, a food of the spiritual kind, that I can joyfully hold and have at the ready to then, in turn, gladly share.

    And so I bring myself and all that I am to the One that has made me in order to be filled to the brim with life, love, kindness, compassion, and gratitude—the food of the spirit—just as a simple bowl goes to be filled with that which feeds and strengthens the physical.

    Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup | thecozyapron.com

    You see, a soup that is prepared with copious amounts of love, and infused with the freshest, most flavorful and healthful ingredients, is a soup that does something mysteriously wonderful for the body: it warms it, comforts it, and sustains it.

    And so it is as well when we come to our Creator to be filled with His love, His wisdom, His guidance, and His tender care; our spirit leaps within us, and we begin to see Him in all things, and taste Him in every bite of life.

    Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup | thecozyapron.com

    What more cozy, sweet, delicious, and savory thing could there be but for a bowl to be filled with that which sustains?

    What, in life, could there be of greater value?

    May we all consciously choose to be filled with that which is of substance, and that which will nourish both in the moment and over time; and may we each learn what it truly means to bring our vessels—the empty bowl—to the One who will always fill us to our very brim with the best and most deliciously divine and sustaining soup.

    Taste what's good and pass it on.

    Ingrid

    Cheesy Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup with Fusilli Pasta and Fresh Basil
    by Ingrid Beer

    Grilled Chicken Parmesan Soup | thecozyapron.com

    Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Recipe

    Yield: Serves about 6

    Ingredients:

    • Olive or canola oil
    • 1 onion, diced
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon dry oregano
    • 6 large cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 (28 ounce) cans San Marzano whole tomatoes
    • 2 ½ cups hot chicken stock
    • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
    • 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
    • 1 pound chicken tenderloins (or skinless, boneless chicken breasts), uncooked
    • 8 ounces dry fusilli pasta (about half of a 1 pound package), cooked according to package instructions
    • 8 ounce fresh mozzarella ball (the kind packed in water), crumbled or grated
    • ¼ cup julienned fresh basil

    Preparation:

    -Place a large pot over medium-high heat, and drizzle in about 4-5 tablespoons of the oil; once hot, add in the onion, a couple of pinches of salt and pepper, the Italian seasoning, and oregano, and saute for a few minutes until lightly golden and tender.

    -Add in the garlic; once it becomes aromatic, add in the tomato paste and stir that in to incorporate, and allow it to cook for about 30-45 seconds, just to cook out the raw flavor.

    -Next, add in the canned tomatoes and the chicken stock, and stir to combine; bring this to a vigorous simmer, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

    -White the soup simmers, sprinkle the chicken with some salt and pepper; place a grill pan onto medium-high heat, and grill the chicken for a few minutes on each side, until cooked through; allow it to cool until it can be handled, then slice into strips or chunks; set aside.

    -Once the soup has simmered, puree it using a hand-held immersion blender (or even a regular blender, but work in batches since it's hot); then, sprinkle in the ¾ cup of parmesan cheese and the chopped parsley, and whisk to blend well; check to see if any additional salt/pepper is needed.

    -To serve, add some of the cooked pasta to an oven-safe bowl; ladle over some of the soup, then top with some of the chicken and about ¼ cup worth of the fresh mozzarella, plus a teaspoon or two of parmesan, and broil just for a moment or two to melt the cheese; serve with a little sprinkle of the fresh basil over top.

    « Tomato-n-Grilled Cheese Soup, When Two Good Things Unite To Become One Even Better Thing
    Grilled Lemon Chicken Flatbread Wraps »

    About Ingrid Beer

    Ingrid obtained her Culinary Arts degree in 2005 after graduating with honors from the California School of Culinary Arts (Le Cordon Bleu program) in Pasadena, CA.

    She has had the pleasure and privilege of being the Executive Chef for two substance abuse facilities in Malibu, Ca., as well as a personal chef for private clients.

    More about Ingrid →

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lynda

      February 19, 2015 at 11:00 am

      Your message and beautiful recipe tapped into my soul today! 🙂

      Reply
      • The Cozy Apron

        February 20, 2015 at 10:41 am

        Thank you so much! Truly appreciated. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Thalia @ butter and brioche

      February 20, 2015 at 12:57 pm

      I cannot think of anything more I'd rather tuck into right now. This cheesy and comforting soup is SO perfect for the rainy and cold weather here in Australia!

      Reply
    3. Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts

      February 21, 2015 at 12:35 am

      Oh yum!
      This looks so good, I can't wait to try this.
      Thank you for the recipe, I am pinning this for when summer is over and I am craving warmth and comfort.

      Reply
    4. The Cozy Apron

      February 22, 2015 at 1:16 pm

      Hope you enjoy, Claire!

      Reply
    5. Linda Betz

      October 25, 2020 at 7:38 am

      Just made this soup this morning. It has such an excellent taste! I didn't change anything. Thank you for sharing your creation as well as referencing our Creator! I loved what you wrote about Him. Many blessings are asked for you and Michael. Take good care.

      Reply
      • The Cozy Apron

        October 25, 2020 at 9:13 am

        Sweet Linda, thank you, thank you...

        It makes me happy to see folks preparing some of the older recipes on the site, and gaining some pleasure and enjoyment out of them.

        Please know that your words touched me very much, as they always do; and I want you to know those beautiful blessing being asked upon us are extremely appreciated!

        Sending much love to you. xoxo

        Reply

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    Welcome to The Cozy Apron — so glad to have you as a guest at my table! Here's where I share my passion for food, people and life through my culinary creations and my writing; and where my husband shares his love for food photography and all things visual.

    More about Ingrid →

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