Chicken Tortellini Soup
User Reviews
5
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Description
Chicken Tortellini Soup uses either seared or directly cooked chicken breast seasoned with Italian herbs and spices, imparting complexity to a broth base. Aromatic vegetables such as onions, carrots, celery, and garlic form the soup's flavor foundation, sautéed before adding broth and seasonings. Worcestershire and hot sauce are included as subtle flavor enhancers, contributing background layers without heat dominance.
Cheese-filled tortellini are added near the end of cooking, providing a tender, creamy bite that contrasts with the chicken and vegetables. The broth is balanced with herbal seasonings like basil, parsley, oregano, and mustard powder for fragrance and mild earthiness. Cooking options include stovetop or slow cooker methods, with the latter emphasizing ease and tenderness over extended cooking times.
Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with cheese rinds during simmering for additional richness. It pairs well with fresh bread or crackers. The recipe offers storage advice: keep tortellini separate when refrigerating to avoid over-absorption of broth, and the soup also freezes well. Adding frozen vegetables near serving time can vary the texture and nutrition.
Using bone-in chicken breast enhances broth flavor, but boneless or leftover chicken can also be suitable. Removing and shredding chicken after cooking allows it to incorporate evenly. When freezing, precook tortellini separately and reheat portions individually to maintain pasta texture.
Ingredients
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Soup
- 1 1/4 lb. chicken breast see notes, bone-in
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion diced
- ¾ cup carrot diced
- 2 celery ribs diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 10 oz. tortellini about 2 cups, refrigerated
Instructions
Stove Top Method (See Notes for Crock Pot Method)
Sear the Chicken
- Note: Searing the chicken is optional, raw or cooked chicken can be added right to the broth in later steps. Searing first adds fond to the soup pot which makes the broth more flavorful. It also adds color and texture to some of the chicken.
- Season each side of the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a 4 ½-quart soup pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until a little bit of a brown color has developed. Remove and set aside. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then use 2 forks to shred. If the middle isn’t cooked, it will finish cooking in later steps.
Make the Soup
- Combine the seasonings and set aside.
- Melt the butter in the same pot and use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom of the pot. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery and cook for 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and seasonings. Cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the chicken broth and shredded chicken. Bring to a very gentle bubble, (a boil will make the chicken tough). Simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes.
- Add the refrigerated tortellini and simmer until cooked through. (Refer to package for guidance on timing.) Rana refrigerated tortellini take just 3 minutes. Taste and add any seasonings if desired, including up to ½ teaspoon of salt. Serve!
Notes
- Bone-in chicken breast or thighs add more flavor, but boneless or leftover chicken also work.
- Skip searing when using a slow cooker; fresh chicken is preferable to prevent dryness.
- Cheese rind can be added during simmering to deepen broth flavor, discarded before serving.
- Store tortellini separately to prevent it from soaking up all the broth during refrigeration.
- Frozen peas, corn, or green beans can be added 10 minutes before serving for extra texture.
- For freezing, cook tortellini separately and add fresh when reheating for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 199 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 199kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 705mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 246mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1703IU | 34% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 72mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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