Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Tortellini Soup is a hearty, comforting, and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy dinners, this one-pot soup is ready in under 30 minutes and is versatile enough to adapt to your dietary needs and flavor preferences.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free tortellini to adapt)
Protein
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces or left whole for shredding
Pasta
- 9 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Broth & Liquids
- 6 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried basil (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Finish & Garnish
- Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
- Olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
- Prepare your ingredients: Dice the onion, slice the celery and carrots, and mince the garlic. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or leave whole if you plan to shred later.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken to the pot and brown lightly on all sides for added flavor. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer until the chicken is fully cooked, about 12–15 minutes. If you used whole chicken pieces, remove them now, shred, and return to the pot.
- Add tortellini and greens: Stir in the tortellini and fresh spinach or kale, cooking until the pasta is tender and greens have wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Season and serve: Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme). Serve hot topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use a high-quality low-sodium chicken broth for deeper flavor.
- Add tortellini towards the end to prevent mushiness and maintain texture.
- Fresh herbs brighten the soup more than dried, but dried herbs work well if fresh are unavailable.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe and juicy.
- Adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar right before serving balances and lifts the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Chicken tortellini soup, easy soup recipe, comfort food, one-pot soup, family-friendly soup, quick dinner, Italian soup