A hearty and flavorful Chicken Tortellini Soup featuring tender shredded chicken, aromatic vegetables, and cheesy tortellini simmered in a gently seasoned broth that's perfect for cozy meals.
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
Seasonings
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon ground sage
¼ teaspoon pepper
Soup
1 1/4 lb bone-in chicken breast
Salt, to taste
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
Sear the Chicken: Season each side of the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a 4 ½-quart soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until lightly browned. Remove from pot and set aside to rest for 10 minutes, then shred the chicken using two forks. The chicken will finish cooking in the soup.
Prepare Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine dried basil, parsley, oregano, mustard powder, ground sage, and pepper. Set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: Melt the butter in the same pot and use a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and the prepared seasonings. Cook for 1 more minute to release flavors.
Simmer Broth and Chicken: Pour in the chicken broth and return the shredded chicken to the pot. Bring to a very gentle bubble – avoid boiling to keep chicken tender. Simmer partially covered for 15 minutes to blend flavors.
Cook Tortellini: Add refrigerated tortellini and simmer until cooked through, about 3 minutes (refer to package instructions). Taste and adjust seasoning by adding up to ½ teaspoon salt if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Searing the chicken is optional but adds depth of flavor and color to the soup.
If using pre-cooked or leftover chicken, add it directly to the broth without searing.
Use high-quality refrigerated tortellini for best texture and faster cooking.
Adjust hot sauce level to your preferred spice tolerance.
For a Crock Pot version, add all ingredients except tortellini and cook on low for 4-6 hours; add tortellini in the last 15 minutes.
