This creamy chicken tortellini soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for those evenings when you crave something warm, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. It brings together tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a rich, savory broth into a single pot, making cleanup a breeze.
Whether you’re feeding a family or just looking for a delicious meal to enjoy yourself, this recipe delivers on flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen. It’s a hearty and delicious option that will quickly become a weeknight favorite.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This creamy chicken tortellini soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for those evenings when you crave something warm, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. It brings together tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a rich, savory broth into a single pot, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re feeding a family or just looking for a delicious meal to enjoy yourself, this recipe delivers on flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen. It’s a hearty and delicious option that will quickly become a weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup. Stir well to combine, ensuring the cream of chicken soup fully dissolves into the broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
4. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue to stir until everything is well incorporated and the soup is uniformly creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
5. Gently stir in the cooked shredded or diced chicken and the three-cheese tortellini. Increase the heat slightly to bring the soup back to a gentle simmer. Cook according to the tortellini package directions, typically 3-5 minutes for refrigerated tortellini or 5-7 minutes for frozen, until the tortellini are tender and float to the surface.
6. Just before serving, stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for only 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and turned bright green.
7. Ladle the creamy chicken tortellini soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: chicken, tortellini, soup, creamy, comfort food, easy, weeknight, spinach, parmesan
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This creamy chicken tortellini soup is a true lifesaver on busy weeknights, offering a comforting and delicious meal without a lot of fuss. It’s perfect for families, as kids often adore the cheesy tortellini and mild, savory flavors. You’ll appreciate how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice after a long day when you want something homemade but don’t have much energy for elaborate cooking. It’s also fantastic for a cozy dinner on a chilly evening, providing warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. The combination of tender chicken and creamy broth with the hearty tortellini makes it a complete meal all on its own, minimizing the need for additional side dishes.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this soup is straightforward, focusing on common pantry staples and fresh items you can easily find at any grocery store. This section provides a clear list of what you’ll need, followed by some simple substitution ideas to help you adapt the recipe to what you have on hand or to suit different dietary preferences.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 small onion)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 (19 ounce) package three-cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
When it comes to substitutions, you have a few easy options. If you don’t have yellow onion, white onion or even shallots can work in a pinch, though the flavor will be slightly milder. For the chicken broth, vegetable broth can be used for a slightly different flavor profile, or you can opt for low-sodium chicken broth if you’re watching your salt intake. If you don’t have heavy cream, half-and-half can be used for a lighter version, though the soup won’t be quite as rich. Any type of cooked chicken will do; leftover rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut. For the tortellini, feel free to experiment with different cheese fillings or even spinach and ricotta tortellini. If fresh spinach isn’t available, a smaller amount of frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) can be used, or you can omit it entirely.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and convenience, making it perfect for busy schedules.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
These times are realistic and account for chopping, simmering, and getting everything ready to serve. You’ll be enjoying a warm bowl of creamy chicken tortellini soup in just over half an hour!
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this creamy chicken tortellini soup is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect, comforting meal every time.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice a fragrant aroma filling your kitchen when it’s ready.
- Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly. It should smell sweet and pungent.
- Build the Broth Base: Pour in the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup. Stir well to combine, ensuring the cream of chicken soup fully dissolves into the broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
- Introduce Cream and Seasonings: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue to stir until everything is well incorporated and the soup is uniformly creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed; you might want a little more salt or pepper depending on your preference.
- Add Chicken and Tortellini: Gently stir in the cooked shredded or diced chicken and the three-cheese tortellini. Increase the heat slightly to bring the soup back to a gentle simmer. Cook according to the tortellini package directions, typically 3-5 minutes for refrigerated tortellini or 5-7 minutes for frozen, until the tortellini are tender and float to the surface.
- Wilt the Spinach: Just before serving, stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for only 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and turned bright green. Overcooking the spinach will make it mushy, so a quick wilt is all you need.
- Serve Warm: Ladle the creamy chicken tortellini soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting meal!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy chicken tortellini soup is wonderfully versatile, allowing for simple variations and serving suggestions that fit any occasion.
For a kid-friendly twist, you can use mini tortellini or even small pasta shapes like ditalini if your children aren’t keen on tortellini. You can also reduce the amount of onion and garlic, or finely mince them so they blend seamlessly into the soup. Adding a little extra cheese on top is always a winner with kids!
If you’re looking to add more vegetables, consider stirring in a cup of frozen peas and carrots along with the chicken and tortellini. They cook quickly and add extra nutrition and color. A diced red bell pepper could also be sautéed with the onion for another layer of flavor. For a touch of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the Italian seasoning.
When serving, this soup is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own. However, it pairs beautifully with a simple side salad and some crusty bread for dipping into the creamy broth. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls are also excellent choices. For a more substantial meal, you could serve it alongside a light sandwich.
Optional toppings can elevate the experience. Besides Parmesan cheese, consider a dollop of pesto, a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, or even some homemade croutons for added crunch. A swirl of extra heavy cream right before serving can also enhance the creamy texture.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help you achieve perfect creamy chicken tortellini soup every time.
One frequent mistake is overcooking the tortellini. Tortellini, especially fresh or refrigerated varieties, cook very quickly. If you boil them for too long, they can become mushy and lose their shape. Always follow the package directions closely and cook them just until they are tender. A good visual cue is when they float to the surface of the soup.
Another common issue is burning the garlic. Garlic cooks much faster than onions. If you add it at the same time as the onions, it’s likely to burn before the onions are tender, leading to a bitter taste. Always add the garlic after the onions have softened and cook it for just about a minute until fragrant.
Not seasoning adequately is another slip-up. While the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup provide some salt, it’s important to taste the soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper. Different brands of broth and soup can vary in sodium content, so always taste and season to your preference.
Finally, overcooking the spinach can lead to a drab, mushy texture. Spinach only needs a minute or two to wilt into the hot soup. Add it right at the very end, just before you’re ready to serve, to keep it vibrant and tender-crisp.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Proper storage and make-ahead tips can help you enjoy this creamy chicken tortellini soup even on the busiest days.
To store leftovers, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. The tortellini might absorb some of the broth and become a bit softer over time, but the soup will still be delicious.
For reheating, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. You may need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to thin it out if it has thickened too much in the
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
