Chicken Tortellini Soup
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Nov. 15, 2024
This Chicken Tortellini Soup is a hearty, healthy, and comforting meal that takes just minutes from stovetop to tabletop. It’s super easy for weeknights and hits the spot.
In This Article
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
Video: watch us make this Recipe
Why This Recipe Stands Out
There’s nothing more comforting than a warm, hearty bowl of soup, and this Chicken Tortellini Soup is one of our favorites. Here’s why we love it:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of the savory broth, tender chicken, and cheesy tortellini is absolutely delicious. It reminds us of our favorite Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup.
- Great Use for Leftover Chicken: Leftover roasted chicken or turkey can easily be used in this delicious recipe. Rotisserie works well also.
- Nutritious and Satisfying: This soup is packed with protein and veggies for a soup that’s healthy yet hearty and satisfying, a lot like our Healthy Chicken Chili.
- Ideal for Weeknights: It takes just 15 minutes to prep and 45 minutes to cook, for a satisfying weeknight meal when you’re super busy, just like our Creamy Wild Rice Soup.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken – Cooked and shredded chicken provides lean protein. It’s a great way to use up leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken.
- Vegetables – Onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and kale provide a range of flavors and textures and make this soup a nutritious option for a cozy dinner.
- Chicken Broth – It serves as the base of our soup, giving it a rich, savory flavor and extra protein.
- Frozen Tortellini – We love frozen tortellini for its convenience. You can also use fresh tortellini from your grocery store’s refrigerated aisle.
- Seasonings – Oregano, salt, and pepper, offer a simple yet effective way to season the soup.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Vegetables: We adore this soup with carrots and kale, but spinach or any of your favorite veggies would be great for this flexible recipe.
- Protein: While we love the flavor and ease of rotisserie chicken, feel free to try this soup with turkey or even ham.
- Pasta: We love using frozen cheese tortellini for this hearty soup, but feel free to use your favorite flavor.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Combine onions, garlic, and broth in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add carrots and celery and cook at a low boil for 30 minutes.
- Next, add oregano and diced tomatoes. Continue cooking at a low boil for 10 minutes.
- Add frozen tortellini and kale. Cook at a high boil until the tortellini is tender.
- Now add the cooked/shredded chicken and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Chicken: You can cook and shred the chicken ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This is a great way to use up any leftover cooked chicken you may have.
- Prep the Ingredients: You can also chop the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery ahead of time. Store these in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two.
- Make it a Freezer Meal: This soup freezes really well. You can make a big batch and freeze it in individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches. Just leave out the tortellini if you plan to freeze it, and add it when you reheat the soup.
What To Serve With Chicken Tortellini Soup
Hearty Bread
- Who doesn’t love some bread on the side with a warm and comforting soup? This Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread is a great option!
- We also love serving some Olive Garden Style Bread Sticks on the side, or you can go with these Easy Dinner Rolls too.
Extra Protein
- To add extra protein to your meal, serve this soup alongside some Grilled Chicken Legs or these juicy and tender Grilled Chicken Breasts.
- You also can’t go wrong with our 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Meatballs or these Crock Pot Buffalo Meatballs.
Delicious Sides
- For an even more filling meal, consider serving it alongside a delicious pasta salad, like our popular Caesar Pasta Salad or this Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of tortellini is best for this soup?
We recommend using frozen cheese or spinach tortellini for this recipe. You can find these in the freezer section of your local grocery store. If you prefer, you can also use fresh tortellini, but be sure to adjust the cooking time as it will cook faster than the frozen variety.
How do I know when the tortellini is cooked?
The tortellini is cooked when it floats to the top of the soup and becomes tender. Be careful not to overcook it.
Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for this recipe. Simply shred the chicken and add it to the soup during the last few minutes of cooking to heat it through.
How long does chicken tortellini soup keep?
This soup can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This Chicken Tortellini Soup is quick, delicious, and hearty yet healthy. Use up leftover roasted chicken or turkey for even faster results. Perfect for a busy fall/winter weeknight!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken, cooked and shredded
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 48 oz chicken broth
- 6 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
- 2 TB oregano
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- 19 oz frozen tortellini
- 1 small bunch fresh kale leaves, washed and roughly cut up
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large, heavy pot, combine onions, garlic, and broth. Bring to a boil.
- Add carrots and celery, and return to a low boil. Cook uncovered at low boil for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
- Add oregano and diced tomatoes. Continue at low boil for 10 more minutes.
- Add frozen tortellini and kale, and bring to a boil. Watch carefully for tortellini to become tender, and taking care not to overcook.
- Once tortellini is cooked, add cooked/shredded chicken or turkey. Stir to combine well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use good-quality chicken broth for this recipe to make sure to get the best flavors.
- Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking. This will make the process much smoother and ensure that you don’t overcook any of the components.
- You can use spinach or broccoli florets instead of kale if you prefer.
- Use cheese tortellini or your favorite flavor.
- See original article for delicious serving suggestions.
- This recipe is part of our Soups and Stews Recipe Collection.
- Serve the soup warm with some Crusty French Bread or Garlic Cheese Bread, and you have a hearty, satisfying meal.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 1348mg | Potassium: 896mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 9394IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 4mg
More to Cook And Eat
- Easy Lasagna Soup – This Lasagna Soup Recipe is an incredibly delicious and hearty meal you can easily whip up in less than an hour.
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup – Nothing else beats a cozy, warm, and comforting bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. It’s an easy way to use a whole rotisserie chicken or uncooked whole chicken.
- 30-Minute Nacho Chicken Soup – This 30-Minute Nacho Chicken Soup is overflowing with bold flavors. It’s a crowd pleasing hit and a fabulous weeknight meal.
- Lemon Chicken Wild Rice Soup – This Lemon Chicken Wild Rice Soup is both refreshing and comforting. It’s delightfully lemony, healthy, and incredibly satisfying.