Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe
This comforting Chicken Tortellini Soup combines tender shredded chicken, vibrant vegetables, and cheesy tortellini in a flavorful broth. The soup is enhanced by searing the chicken to develop rich flavor and finished with a touch of Worcestershire and hot sauce for depth and a subtle kick. Perfect for a cozy meal any day of the week.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Searing, simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 1/4 lb bone-in chicken breast
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3/4 cup diced carrots
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (divided)
Liquids and Pasta
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 10 oz refrigerated tortellini (about 2 cups)
- Season the Chicken: Pat the bone-in chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning for an even flavor base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large 4 ½-quart soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until a light brown crust forms. This caramelization adds extra depth and richness to the soup. Remove the chicken and set aside to rest for 10 minutes.
- Shred the Chicken: After resting, shred the chicken meat using two forks. If the inside is still slightly undercooked, it will finish cooking later in the broth.
- Prepare the Base: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and deglaze the browned bits from the pot bottom for added flavor. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon of hot sauce along with the reserved Italian seasoning mix. Cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the chicken broth and add the shredded chicken back into the pot. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer—avoid boiling to prevent tough chicken. Partially cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes to marry the flavors.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the refrigerated tortellini to the soup. Refer to the package for cooking time; typically, it takes about 3 minutes for refrigerated tortellini like Rana. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding the remaining 1 teaspoon of hot sauce and up to ½ teaspoon of salt if needed. Remove from heat once the tortellini is tender and fully cooked.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy it warm for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Searing chicken is optional but recommended as it enhances broth flavor and chicken texture.
- Bone-in chicken adds more flavor, but boneless can be substituted if preferred.
- Use refrigerated tortellini for best texture; frozen may require longer cooking times.
- Adjust hot sauce to taste depending on your spice preference.
- Leftover soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes nicely without the tortellini to prevent mushiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: chicken tortellini soup, Italian chicken soup, easy chicken soup, tortellini recipe, hearty soup recipe