Description
Comforting Chicken Tortellini Soup with chicken, cheese tortellini, spinach, and creamy broth. Ready in under an hour!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 9 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside. Add onion to the pot and cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Build the Soup Base: Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Add diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add Tortellini and Spinach: Add the cooked chicken back to the pot. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions (usually 3-5 minutes), until tender. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted (1-2 minutes).
- Finishing Touches and Serving: If desired, stir in heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Add Vegetables: Carrots, celery, or zucchini can be added with the onions and garlic.
- Use Different Protein: Italian sausage or ground turkey can be used instead of chicken.
- Use Frozen Spinach: Thaw and squeeze out excess water before adding.
- Make it Vegetarian: Omit chicken and use vegetable broth.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Broth Options: Vegetable broth can be substituted for a vegetarian option.
- Tortellini Types: Experiment with different types of tortellini.
- Herb Variations: Use fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten up the flavors of the soup.
- Cream Cheese: For an even creamier soup, stir in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.
- Parmesan Rind: Adding a Parmesan rind to the soup while it simmers can add a depth of flavor. Remove the rind before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes