Cozy Chicken Tortellini Soup
A quick and easy homemade comfort meal featuring tender chicken, savory broth, and pillowy tortellini, perfect for cozy nights and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 9 ounces fresh cheese tortellini (or 7 ounces dried)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (optional)
- Juice of half a lemon
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and mince the garlic. Shred or dice the cooked chicken and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and veggies soften.
- Stir in minced garlic, thyme, and basil. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to meld flavors. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Add shredded chicken and tortellini. Cook for 5-7 minutes (for fresh tortellini) or until pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Stir in baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and squeeze in fresh lemon juice.
- Ladle hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty bread or a side salad if desired.
Notes
[‘Use fresh cheese tortellini for best texture; dried tortellini works with slightly longer cooking time.’, ‘Swap fresh spinach with kale or Swiss chard if desired.’, ‘For gluten-free, use gluten-free tortellini or small rice pasta shapes.’, ‘Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of white wine vinegar to enhance flavor if soup tastes flat.’, ‘Avoid overcooking tortellini to prevent mushy texture.’, ‘Leftovers reheat well; add broth or water to loosen soup when reheating.’, ‘Freeze soup before adding spinach and lemon juice; add fresh after reheating.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 bowl
- Calories: 320350
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 34
- Protein: 25
Keywords: chicken tortellini soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, cozy meal, quick dinner, family-friendly soup