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Creamy chicken tortellini soup in a white bowl topped with fresh parsley and served with a crusty baguette

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A creamy and comforting chicken tortellini soup made with tender shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and fresh cheese tortellini in a rich herby broth. Made easily in the slow cooker or on the stovetop with no pre-browning required.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small white onion small diced
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 2 cups diced carrot
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning no salt added
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 32 oz low-sodium chicken broth 1 quart; bone broth or vegetable broth also works
  • 1 cup water
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
  • 9 oz fresh cheese tortellini 1 package; use fresh not dried; defrost if frozen before adding
  • 0.25 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free

Equipment

  • 6-quart slow cooker
  • Large pot or Dutch oven (stovetop method)
  • Two forks for shredding chicken
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. Slow Cooker: Add the onion, celery, carrot, Italian seasoning, salt, broth, water, and chicken to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, or on low for 6 to 7 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked through and very tender.
  3. Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board. Add the fresh tortellini to the slow cooker, turn to high, cover, and cook for 8 to 15 minutes until cooked through. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  4. While the tortellini cooks, shred the chicken using two forks or dice into 1-inch pieces. Once tortellini is cooked through, stir the shredded chicken and cream back in. Taste and adjust salt if needed, then serve hot.
  5. Stovetop: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 tsp olive oil, diced onion, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
  6. Add celery, carrot, Italian seasoning, and remaining salt. Cook 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
  7. Add broth, water, and chicken. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook covered for 30 to 45 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  8. Remove chicken to a cutting board. Add tortellini and simmer 2 to 3 minutes until just cooked through.
  9. Shred or dice the chicken. Stir chicken and cream back into the pot. Taste and adjust seasonings, then serve.

Notes

Store tortellini separately from soup to prevent mushiness. Keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Freeze soup base without tortellini for up to 3 months. For gluten-free use Capellos tortellini. For dairy-free use Kite Hill tortellini and replace cream with full-fat coconut milk. Rotisserie chicken can be used as a shortcut -- add shredded cooked chicken with the tortellini at the end.
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