Servings
Font
Back
0 from 12 votes

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A warm bowl Chicken Tortellini Soup is the perfect easy and healthy dinner recipe for a chilly day!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 10 cups
Calories: 1525 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (or substitute with about 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, NOT drained
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic 
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (or more, as desired)
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season chicken liberally with salt and pepper, and then add to the pot and sauté until browned (about 3-4 minutes). Remove chicken to a plate and set aside. {SKIP THIS STEP if you're starting with cooked, shredded chicken.}
  2. Add carrots, onion, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender (about 10 minutes). Stir in zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, and chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
  3. Stir in chicken and tortellini; reduce heat, and simmer until tortellini is cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). Add spinach and continue to cook and stir for 1 more minute, or just until the spinach wilts.
  4. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese and serve!

Notes

  • Simmer the soup with a Parmesan rind for even more flavor in the pot. Remove the rind before serving.
  • Use fresh herbs, when available, for even more flavor.
  • Don't overcook the tortellini or they will become mushy in your soup. Add them to the pot just before you're ready to serve.
  • The total cooking time for the tortellini will depend on the brand, size, and shape that you choose. Keep an eye on it and turn off the heat when the pasta is just barely tender. It will continue to soften and plump up as it sits in the hot soup.
  • Taste and season as you go. The total amount of salt necessary will vary depending on the saltiness of your broth, and on personal preference. Add extra salt for more flavor, and feel free to increase the other herbs and seasonings as well.
  • Garnish each bowl with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor. Extra fresh parsley or other herbs are also a delicious finishing touch.
  • This easy tortellini soup recipe has about 150 calories per cup. Since it's loaded with lean protein and fresh veggies, this is a healthy, lighter way to enjoy your favorite cheese-filled pasta!
  • Add even more spinach for an extra boost of nutrition. The spinach leaves wilt down significantly in the hot broth.
  • Use spinach-filled or meat-filled tortellini instead of the cheese tortellini.
  • Frozen tortellini or dry tortellini will also work in this recipe. You might need to adjust the cooking time for the different types of pasta, though.
  • For even more flavor, use Italian sausage instead of chicken.
  • Instead of cooking raw chicken in Step 1, skip that step and use cooked, shredded chicken (such as the meat from a rotisserie chicken). You'll need about 2 cups of cooked chicken, which you can stir into the soup at the same time that you add the tortellini.
  • For a spicy chicken tortellini soup, try adding crushed red pepper flakes to your bowl.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 152.5kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 15.4g (5%) Protein 14.9g (30%) Fat 3.7g (6%) Saturated Fat 1.5g (8%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g Monounsaturated Fat 1.7g Cholesterol 39.4mg (13%) Sodium 791.7mg (33%) Potassium 419.6mg (12%) Fiber 2.2g (9%) Sugar 3.5g (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1525

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 152.5kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 15.4g 5%
Protein 14.9g 30%
Fat 3.7g 6%
Saturated Fat 1.5g 8%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g 3%
Monounsaturated Fat 1.7g 9%
Cholesterol 39.4mg 13%
Sodium 791.7mg 33%
Potassium 419.6mg 9%
Fiber 2.2g 9%
Sugar 3.5g 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.