If you're looking for a warm and comforting meal, this savory chicken tortellini soup is the perfect choice. It's a delightful blend of tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and nutritious spinach, all swimming in a creamy broth. This soup is not only delicious, but it's also quite easy to prepare, making it an excellent choice for a weeknight dinner.
The ingredients for this recipe are fairly common and can be found in most kitchens. However, you might need to pick up cheese tortellini and condensed cream of chicken soup from a supermarket if they're not already in your pantry. Cheese tortellini is usually kept in the refrigerated section of the supermarket, while condensed cream of chicken soup can be found in the soup aisle.
Ingredients for Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken broth: This forms the base of the soup and adds a rich flavor.
Butter: Used for sautéing and adds a creamy texture to the soup.
Garlic powder: Enhances flavor of the soup.
Thyme: Adds a subtle, earthy flavor.
Red pepper: Gives a slight kick to the soup.
Cheese tortellini: These filled pasta shapes are the star of the dish, adding a wonderful cheese flavor.
Chicken breast: This lean meat adds protein to the dish and pairs well with the rich flavors.
Spinach: Adds a vibrant color and loads of nutrition.
Condensed cream of chicken soup: Adds depth and richness to the soup.
Half-and-half: Makes the soup creamier.
Green onions: Add a fresh and slightly spicy flavor to the soup.
One reader, Giralda Oden says:
This savory chicken tortellini soup recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and comforting, and the combination of tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and creamy broth is simply divine. It's a hearty and satisfying meal that's perfect for chilly evenings. I highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques Required for Making Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup
How to cook tortellini: Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the tortellini and cook until they float to the top, usually for about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
How to cook chicken breast: Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper, then cook in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink in the center, about 7-10 minutes per side. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding.
How to wilt spinach: In a skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
How to make a roux: In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat, then whisk in flour to form a paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
How to simmer soup: Once all ingredients are combined, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
How to chop green onions: Trim off the roots and the dark green tops of the green onions, then slice the remaining white and light green parts into thin rounds.
How To Make Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe
The tortellini pasta and chicken combination creates a wonderfully creamy and filling dish. Try this tortellini soup with chicken and turn a meal fancy.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3cupschicken broth
- 1tbspbutter
- 1tbspgarlic powder
- 1tspthyme,dried
- 1tspred pepper
- 9ozrefrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2lbscooked chicken breast,cubed
- 10ozspinach
- 10¾ozcondensed cream of chicken soup,3 cans
- 3cupshalf-and-half
- 1cupgreen onions,chopped
Instructions
-
Combine chicken broth, butter, garlic, thyme, and red pepper in a 6-quart soup pot. Bring to a boil. Add tortellini; cook until they float to the top, 3 to 5 minutes.
-
Stir cooked chicken, spinach, cream of chicken soup, half-and-half, and green onions into the pot with the tortellini. Reduce heat and let simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes more.
Nutrition
- Calories: 399.03kcal
- Fat: 17.35g
- Saturated Fat: 8.53g
- Trans Fat: 0.05g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.41g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.70g
- Carbohydrates: 22.35g
- Fiber: 1.47g
- Sugar: 5.06g
- Protein: 37.45g
- Cholesterol: 122.34mg
- Sodium: 542.14mg
- Calcium: 171.77mg
- Potassium: 638.71mg
- Iron: 2.84mg
- Vitamin A: 247.74µg
- Vitamin C: 11.21mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Making Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup
To ensure your chicken remains tender and juicy in your soup, avoid boiling it for too long. Overcooking can make the chicken tough and dry. Instead, simmer it gently until it's just cooked through, then remove it from the heat. This will keep the chicken moist and flavorful, enhancing the overall taste of your savory chicken tortellini soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Soup Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables, cook and shred chicken, and measure out ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Use store-bought shortcuts: Utilize pre-made chicken broth, refrigerated tortellini, and condensed cream of chicken soup to cut down on prep time.
Multi-task: While the soup is simmering, use that time to clean up the kitchen or prepare a side dish to serve alongside the soup.
Organize your workspace: Keep all your ingredients and cooking tools within reach to avoid wasting time searching for items while cooking.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the provided instructions to ensure that the cooking process is efficient and yields delicious results.
Substitute Ingredients For Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar savory flavor and works well as a substitute for chicken broth in soups.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a healthier alternative to butter and still adds richness to the soup.
garlic powder - Substitute with minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic can provide a more intense and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.
thyme - Substitute with rosemary: Rosemary can add a similar earthy and slightly piney flavor to the soup as thyme.
red pepper - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can provide a mild heat and a smoky flavor similar to red pepper.
cheese tortellini - Substitute with spinach and cheese ravioli: Spinach and cheese ravioli can be a suitable alternative and still provide a delicious filling in the soup.
cooked chicken breast - Substitute with cooked turkey breast: Cooked turkey breast can be used as a lean and flavorful alternative to chicken breast in the soup.
spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale can be used as a substitute for spinach, adding a slightly different texture and a hearty green flavor to the soup.
condensed cream of chicken soup - Substitute with condensed cream of mushroom soup: Cream of mushroom soup can provide a creamy base and add a rich flavor to the soup.
half-and-half - Substitute with whole milk and heavy cream: A combination of whole milk and heavy cream can mimic the richness of half-and-half in the soup.
green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives can be used as a milder substitute for green onions, adding a delicate onion flavor to the soup.
Essential Tools for Making Chicken Tortellini Soup
- 6-quart soup pot: A large pot with a capacity of 6 quarts, ideal for making soups and stews.
- Soup ladle: A long-handled spoon with a deep bowl, used for serving soup.
- Cutting board: A flat board used for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Chef's knife: A versatile kitchen knife used for a variety of tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurately measuring ingredients in cooking and baking.
- Wooden spoon: A cooking utensil with a long handle and a rounded end, useful for stirring and mixing ingredients.
- Soup bowls: Bowls used for serving the chicken tortellini soup.
- Soup ladle: A long-handled spoon with a deep bowl, used for serving soup.
- Stove: A cooking appliance used for heating and cooking food.
- Can opener: A tool used for opening cans of ingredients, such as condensed cream of chicken soup.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurately measuring ingredients in cooking and baking.
- Cooking thermometer: Used to ensure that the soup reaches the appropriate temperature for safe consumption.
- Tongs: Used for handling and serving the cooked chicken breast and spinach.
- Serving platter: A large plate or platter used for serving the cooked chicken breast and spinach.
- Soup tureen: A large, deep serving dish with a lid, used for serving soup at the table.
Storing and Freezing Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Let the savory chicken tortellini soup cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container or a freezer-safe zip-top bag.
- If using a container, make sure to leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and the name of the soup.
- Place the container or bag in the refrigerator if consuming within 3-4 days.
- If freezing, lay the bag flat in the freezer to save space and ensure even freezing.
- The frozen savory chicken tortellini soup will keep for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
- To reheat, transfer the frozen soup to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
- Once thawed, pour the soup into a pot and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a little chicken broth or water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed before serving the reheated savory chicken tortellini soup.
How To Reheat Leftover Tortellini Soup
Stovetop method: Transfer the leftover savory chicken tortellini soup to a pot and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the tortellini from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Heat until the soup is warmed through and the tortellini is tender, about 10-15 minutes. If the soup seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out.
Microwave method: Place the desired amount of leftover savory chicken tortellini soup in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high power for 1-2 minutes, then stir the soup. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the soup is heated through and the tortellini is tender.
Slow cooker method: Transfer the leftover savory chicken tortellini soup to a slow cooker. Cover and heat on low for 1-2 hours, or until the soup is warmed through and the tortellini is tender. This method is ideal if you have a large amount of leftover soup and want to reheat it gradually throughout the day.
Oven method: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover savory chicken tortellini soup to an oven-safe dish and cover it with a lid or aluminum foil. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the soup is heated through and the tortellini is tender. Stir the soup occasionally to ensure even heating.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to taste the savory chicken tortellini soup and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving. You may find that the flavors have mellowed or intensified during storage, so a little extra garlic powder, thyme, or red pepper can help revive the soup's taste. If the tortellini has absorbed too much liquid and become mushy, you can add some freshly cooked tortellini to the reheated soup for a better texture.
Interesting Fact About Chicken Tortellini Soup
The savory chicken tortellini soup recipe is a comforting and hearty dish that combines the flavors of tender chicken, creamy tortellini, and fresh spinach in a rich and flavorful broth. This soup is a perfect meal for a cozy night in or to warm up during the colder months. It's a versatile recipe that can be easily customized with your favorite herbs and spices. Whether you're a fan of creamy soups or just love a good bowl of comfort food, this savory chicken tortellini soup is sure to satisfy your cravings. Enjoy!
Is Making Chicken Tortellini Soup at Home Cost-Effective?
This savory chicken tortellini soup recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as chicken broth, cheese tortellini, chicken breast, and spinach, are reasonably priced and readily available. The use of half-and-half and cream of chicken soup adds richness without breaking the bank. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20. Overall, I would rate this recipe an 8 for its affordability, flavor, and ease of preparation.
Is This Soup Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This savory chicken tortellini soup recipe, while comforting and delicious, may not be the healthiest option due to several factors:
- The use of condensed cream of chicken soup and half-and-half adds significant amounts of saturated fat and sodium to the dish.
- The recipe lacks a variety of vegetables, focusing mainly on spinach, which limits the range of nutrients provided.
- Depending on the type of tortellini used, the dish may be high in refined carbohydrates and low in fiber.
However, the recipe does include some nutritious ingredients, such as chicken broth, cooked chicken breast, and spinach, which provide protein, vitamins, and minerals.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace the condensed cream of chicken soup with a homemade version using low-sodium chicken broth, whole wheat flour, and low-fat milk. This will reduce the sodium content and increase the fiber.
- Swap the half-and-half for a lower-fat alternative, such as evaporated skim milk or a mixture of low-fat milk and Greek yogurt, to reduce the saturated fat content.
- Add more vegetables to the soup, such as carrots, celery, and diced tomatoes, to increase the fiber and nutrient content.
- Opt for whole wheat or vegetable-based tortellini to increase the fiber content and reduce refined carbohydrates.
- Use a reduced amount of butter or replace it with a healthier fat source, such as olive oil, to decrease the saturated fat content.
Editor's Opinion on This Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup
The combination of tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and creamy broth in this recipe creates a comforting and satisfying soup. The addition of spinach and green onions adds a delightful freshness, while the hint of red pepper provides a subtle kick. The use of half-and-half and cream of chicken soup gives the soup a rich and luxurious texture. Overall, this savory chicken tortellini soup is a delightful and hearty dish that is sure to please the palate and warm the soul.
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Why trust this Savory Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe:
This recipe is a guaranteed hit for any chicken soup lover. With its flavorful blend of cheese tortellini, tender chicken breast, and nutritious spinach, it's a wholesome and satisfying meal. The addition of cream of chicken soup and half-and-half creates a rich and creamy texture, while the aromatic blend of garlic powder, thyme, and red pepper adds a delightful kick. Trust in the combination of these quality ingredients to deliver a comforting and delicious soup that will surely impress your taste buds.
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