Fresh, sweet Italian sausage simmered in a broth spicy Harissa-flavored savory broth with fresh, crisp broccolini, red bell pepper, carrots, mushrooms, and a farro and Israeli couscous mixture for an irresistible Italian chicken sausage soup.
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How to Make Italian Chicken Sausage Soup
Turn your hectic weeknights into culinary satisfaction with the Easy Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Soup featuring wholesome Farro and Israeli Couscous. This easy one-pot wonder is tailored for any night of the week, offering the perfect meal solution for busy schedules without compromising on flavor.
Picture the warmth of spicy Italian seasonings, the heartiness of tender chicken sausage, and the wholesome goodness of Farro and Israeli Couscous coming together effortlessly in a steaming bowl—a comforting combination that turns any evening into a culinary bliss. Embrace the simplicity of this recipe as it effortlessly boosts your dinner nights, making it a go-to choice for those seeking a satisfying and stress-free dinner option.
More Recipes with a Mediterranean Vibe:
- Italian Chicken Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Burrata Cheese
- Spicy Tomato Farro Risotto with Shrimp, Mushroom and Peas
- Plant-Based Italian Sausage with Spicy Creamy Lentil Pasta
- Spicy Pesto Chicken Pasta Homemade One-Pot-Meal
- Chicken Meatballs and Israeli Couscous Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
This easy one-pot recipe includes simple ingredients for a quick dinner. First, brown the sweet Italian chicken sausage in a hot Dutch oven with olive oil. Then add and cook the aromatics by sweating the onion, carrots, cremini mushrooms, and chopped garlic.
Build the Base
Next, season the soup base by adding the Italian herb seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. When the sausage is browned and seasoned, you will deglaze the pot with sauvignon blanc wine to add depth of flavor. Then, add and cook down the Harissa paste and fire-roasted tomatoes to make a rich red color.
Finish the Soup
Add the low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Once it begins to simmer at the instant farro and Israeli couscous to cook, finish the soup with the red bell pepper, broccolini, fresh spinach (or kale), and arugula (or winter greens mix). Bowl up the warming goodness, top with an Italian cheese blend, and enjoy!
See the Italian chicken sausage soup recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.
Brown the sausage chunks to caramelize them to bring out a rich flavor.
Leaving the sausage in the pot will make the soup base more tasteful when you add the vegetables and sweat it all down by melding the flavors.
Adding the white wine, harissa paste, and crushed red tomatoes to cook down at this point will deepen the flavors and remove some of the acidity.
Make sure to bring the flavorful broth to a rapid simmer to cook the instant farro and couscous at the right time, as indicated on its packages.
The soup will be done when the broccolini is bright, tender, and crisp to the bit.
Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with cooking tips to help you cook more efficiently on Cook's Notebook tab. In addition, some related detailed steps can be found there.
Side Suggestions
Serve with a side of mixed green salad with your favorite vinaigrette and toasted crusty bread.
Substitutions
- Italian Sweet Chicken Sausage - Use Italian Sweet Pork Sausage or Spicy Sausage for a kick of more heat.
- Cremini Mushrooms - Try baby Bellas, white or brown button mushrooms, or portobellos cut into medium dice.
- Instant Farro - If you are not able to find this, try to pre-cook Farro, rinse one cup of Farro under cold water, and then combine it with three cups of water in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 25-30 minutes or until the farro is tender but still has a chewy texture. Drain any excess water and use the pre-cooked farro as needed in your recipe.
- Broccolini - Use broccoli florets cut into uniform pieces to cook evenly.
- Grated Italian Cheese Blend - Use grated parmesan cheese or pecorino.
Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.
Variations
- White Bean Soup - Replace any vegetables or just add the white beans, like cannellini beans or white kidney beans.
- Italian Sausage Orzo Soup - Replace the farro and couscous for orzo.
Equipment
Dutch Oven - Used to cook this one-pot meal recipe. To develop this recipe, I used the trusty Lodge 6-quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. It's fantastic for its multi-function purpose, such as going on the grill or in the oven.
Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.
Storage
Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, you can place the hearty soup in a shallow 2-inch container to cool down quickly. Then, store it in an airtight container. As a result, the meal will last up to two days.
Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above. Then, place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container.
Air Tight Food Containers - I use Glass Food Storage Containers with a plastic clipping lid to store food. For example, I always suggest glass storage containers since you can microwave them and hold food without staining the container, and the glass keeps them at a more stable temperature, which keeps the food fresher longer.
Cooking Tip
For an extra burst of flavor in your Easy Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Soup with Farro and Israeli Couscous recipe, make sure to sauté the vegetables and spices before adding the broth—this enhances the depth of taste. Additionally, for an incredible texture variation, the farro and Israeli couscous are added towards the end of the cooking time to ensure they remain tender yet pleasantly chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe using your preferred sausage type, even leaving it in the edible casing. Whether it's spicy, mild, or a different meat, the soup is versatile enough to accommodate various options while maintaining its rich and comforting flavor profile.
Certainly! This soup reheats well, making it a perfect option for meal prep. Allow it to cool before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Read more in the Storage section. Then, reheat gently on the stovetop, adjusting the seasoning if necessary, for a quick and convenient meal on busy days.
Absolutely! While farro and Israeli couscous add a delightful texture, you can easily substitute them with quinoa or any other grain of your choice. Just be mindful of the cooking time, as it may vary depending on the grain selected. Adjust accordingly for the perfect bowl of soup.
Soup Recipes
Looking for other soup recipes like this? Try these:
- Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder with Dumplings | Dairy-Free
- One-Pot Curry Meatball Soup with Ground Turkey and Kale
- How to Make Easy Bacon Potato Leek Chowder | Creamy Comfort
- Bold and Spicy Caribbean Beef Noodle Soup Recipe Twist
Poultry Recipes
Looking for other poultry recipes like this? Try these:
- Healthy Spicy Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers with Salad
- Best Peach Piri Piri Chicken with Fonio Kale Salad
- Lemongrass Marinated Grilled Chicken Spring Rolls
- Caesar Salad with Egg Tomatoes and Chili-Infused Croutons
Video
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📖 Recipe
Italian Chicken Sausage Soup
Ingredients
For the Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian Sweet Chicken Sausage or pork
- 1 medium onion small diced
- 1 medium carrot small diced
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms quartered
- 4 garlic cloves minced or garlic-pressed
For the Soup Base
- 2 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup Sauvignon Blanc white wine
- 1 tablespoon Harissa paste
- 1 cup crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Grains, Vegetables, & Cheese
- ½ cup instant farro
- ½ cup Israeli couscous (pearl couscous)
- 1 medium red bell pepper large dice
- 6 ounces broccolini cut into thirds
- 2 cups spinach or kale
- 2 cup arugula or winter greens mix
- ¼ cup grated Italian cheese blend
Equipment
Instructions
- Save time in the kitchen: Read the instructions thoroughly, then gather and prep all your ingredients before cooking! Learn Prepping Tips.
- Heat the Dutch Oven: Heat oil in a Dutch oven on medium-medium heat. While the Dutch oven heats, prepare the sausage.
- Prepare the Sausage: Remove the sausage casing with scissors or a knife. Then, cut the sausage into 1-inch pieces. Add and spread out the sausage evenly and brown by letting it sit for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Add the Italian herb blend, salt, and pepper, combine well, and let it sit for another 3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add onion, carrots, mushroom, and garlic, combine well, cover, and cook for 10 minutes or until the onions are translucent, stirring halfway. Then, deglaze the pot by adding the sauvignon blanc, scraping the bottom, and letting it reduce for 1 minute.
- Make the Soup Base: Add the harissa paste and fire-roasted tomatoes and cook down for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to remove some of the acidity. Then, add chicken broth, cover, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil.
- Cook the Grains: Once the broth is boiling, add the farro and Israeli couscous and cook for 7 minutes covered.
- Finish the Soup: Add the red bell pepper, broccolini, spinach, and arugula, and cook for 2 minutes or until the broccolini is tender with a bite. Remove from stove, taste the broth for salt content, and add if necessary.
- Plate Up: Serve soup in a bowl and garnish with the grated cheese blend.
Video
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat to prevent foodborne illness from contaminated uncooked meats.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
- Don't leave food at room temperature for extended periods; this can breed bacteria.
- Never leave cooking food unattended to prevent burns and fires.
- Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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