When it comes to weeknight dinners, two key words are quick and easy. This 30-minute chicken tortellini soup recipe checks both boxes. It’s a tasty twist on chicken noodle soup that swaps in hearty cheese tortellini for boring noodles.
Chicken Tortellini Soup Ingredients
- Chicken broth: Look for one of our Test Kitchen’s top picks for store-bought chicken broth. We recommend a low-sodium broth to control the amount of salt in the final dish. For more flavor, make a batch of homemade chicken broth.
- Chicken: This recipe calls for cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts. If you prefer dark meat, you can substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Frozen mixed vegetables: Frozen vegetables make this chicken tortellini soup recipe an absolute breeze! If you prefer fresh vegetables, use a mix of onion, red peppers and carrots sauteed in butter or oil.
- Tortellini: Use refrigerated cheese tortellini for the best flavor and texture. Or, sub in meat-filled tortellini if you’d like.
- Celery: Thinly sliced celery adds a distinct flavor to the soup.
- Seasonings: We season the chicken tortellini soup with dried basil, dried oregano, garlic salt and pepper. You can use fresh basil and oregano by following the 1:3 ratio for dried to fresh herbs: For this recipe, you’d use 3 teaspoons chopped fresh basil and 1-1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano.
Directions
Step 1: Poach the chicken
In a large saucepan, bring the broth and water to a boil. Add the chicken, then reduce the heat and cook for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the soup
Add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Cook 10 to 15 minutes longer or until the chicken is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.
Recipe Variations
- Switch up the pasta: Instead of tortellini, use a different pasta shape or egg noodles. For the best results, cook the pasta separately and stir it into the soup before serving.
- Make it creamy: For a creamy chicken tortellini soup, stir in 1/4 to 1/3 cup heavy cream at the end of the cook time. To make it even more flavorful, stir in 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Max out the vegetables: This chicken tortellini soup recipe is perfect for using the leftover veggies in your fridge or freezer. Great additions include peas, mushrooms, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli and red peppers.
How to Store Chicken Tortellini Soup
Unlike most homemade soup recipes, this one has the best flavor and texture the day it’s made. You can still store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but because the tortellini will absorb liquid from the soup, store the tortellini separately from the soup to prevent a mushy mess.
Alternatively, because tortellini cooks so quickly, you could make fresh tortellini to serve with the leftover soup.
How long does chicken tortellini soup last?
Refrigerated chicken tortellini soup should be eaten within five days.
Can you freeze chicken tortellini soup?
Absolutely! For best results, freeze the soup without the tortellini, as its texture will suffer from freezing. To freeze the soup, first allow it to cool completely. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or storage container, and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
How do you reheat chicken tortellini soup?
Refrigerated chicken tortellini soup can be reheated in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. To reheat individual servings, transfer each to a microwave-safe dish, cover and cook for 1 minute. Then, stir and cook for 20-second intervals until warmed through.
To reheat frozen chicken tortellini soup, first thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, transfer the soup to a saucepan and reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. Cook the tortellini separately and stir it into the soup once reheated.
Chicken Tortellini Soup Tips
Can you use rotisserie chicken for tortellini soup?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken is one of our favorite recipe shortcuts. Shred or cube the chicken, add it to the soup and cook until heated through.
How do you make chicken tortellini soup in a slow cooker?
This chicken tortellini soup recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker, just add all the ingredients except the tortellini to the slow cooker and cook on low for six to eight hours or on high for three to four hours. Add the tortellini for the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
What can you serve with chicken tortellini soup?
Serve chicken tortellini soup with thick slices of crusty bread, garlic breadsticks or dinner rolls. For a quick side dish, try our easy Caesar salad or another top-rated green salad recipe.
