Introduction

Chicken Tortellini Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for any day you crave warm, flavorful nourishment. This recipe combines tender chicken, savory vegetables, and cheesy tortellini in a rich, seasoned broth that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy.

A green enameled pot filled with a warm chicken tortellini soup sits on a white marbled surface. The soup shows multiple light yellow tortellini pieces floating in a clear golden broth with visible specks of herbs and fresh green parsley scattered on top. Bright orange carrot slices and shredded white chicken pieces are mixed evenly throughout the soup. Beside the pot, there’s a soft white cloth casually placed and a stack of white bread slices in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon ground sage
¼ teaspoon pepper
1¼ lb. bone-in chicken breast
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 yellow onion, diced
¾ cup diced carrots
2 ribs celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
10 oz. refrigerated tortellini (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Step 1: Season each side of the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a 4½-quart soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes, then shred it with two forks. The chicken will finish cooking in the soup.
Step 2: In the same pot, melt the butter and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and the combined dried seasonings (basil, parsley, oregano, mustard powder, sage, and pepper). Cook for 1 more minute to release the flavors.
Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth and add the shredded chicken back to the pot. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer—avoid boiling to keep the chicken tender. Partially cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Add the refrigerated tortellini and continue simmering until the pasta is cooked through, about 3 minutes or according to package instructions. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt, if needed. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Searing the chicken before simmering adds extra flavor and color but you can skip this step for a quicker soup.
For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half just before serving.
Swap out tortellini for other pasta shapes like mini shells or orzo if you prefer.
Add fresh spinach or kale in the last few minutes of cooking for added greens and nutrition.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm gently on the stovetop to prevent overcooking the chicken and tortellini. You can also freeze the soup without the tortellini for up to 3 months; add fresh pasta when reheating.

How to Serve

A large white cast iron pot filled with clear broth soup containing three main visible layers: the bottom layer consists of small diced orange carrots and green celery pieces, the middle layer has soft, creamy yellow tortellini pasta and shredded white chicken, and the top layer is sprinkled with fresh green herbs and herbs floating in the broth; a silver ladle is partially submerged in the soup inside the pot, which sits on a light beige cloth on a white marbled surface with some fresh parsley in the background; photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use cooked chicken instead of raw chicken breast?

Yes, you can add cooked shredded chicken directly to the soup. Just reduce the simmering time accordingly since the chicken is already cooked.

What type of tortellini works best in this soup?

Refrigerated cheese tortellini works well and cooks quickly. You can also use meat-filled or spinach tortellini to vary the flavor, just adjust the cooking time based on the package instructions.