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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup with Tortellini

creamy Tuscan chicken soup with tortellini - featured image

This creamy Tuscan chicken soup with tortellini is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal loaded with classic Italian flavors like sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan. It’s quick to make, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 34 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, drained)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (about 8 oz)
  • 9 oz fresh cheese tortellini (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 2 cups baby spinach (about 2 oz)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes; sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to coat the onions and tomatoes.
  3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in cooked shredded chicken and let the soup heat for a few minutes.
  4. Add fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering soup. Cook according to package directions (usually 7-8 minutes), stirring occasionally. The tortellini should be tender but not mushy.
  5. Stir in baby spinach and let it wilt (about 1-2 minutes).
  6. Lower the heat to low. Slowly stir in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan. Stir until the cheese melts and the soup is creamy. Do not let it boil.
  7. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and top with extra Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Use rotisserie or leftover chicken for convenience. If using frozen tortellini, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and swap chicken for white beans or extra tortellini. Soup thickens as it sits; add extra broth when reheating. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent separation.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken soup, creamy tortellini soup, one pot soup, Italian chicken soup, comfort food, weeknight dinner, easy soup recipe, spinach tortellini soup, Parmesan chicken soup