Ingredients
Soup Base
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Onion, diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2/3 cup Sundried Tomatoes (in oil), chopped
- 6 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
Protein
- 1 1/2 lbs. Chicken Breasts or Thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
Carbohydrates & Dairy
- 18 to 20 ounces Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 to 4 ounces Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Greens & Herbs
- 2 cups Baby Spinach
- 6 to 8 Basil Leaves, cut into ribbons
Instructions
- Sauté the Onion: Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and mostly cooked through.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring often until the tomato paste deepens slightly in color.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Cook Tortellini: Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini to the pot and cook according to package directions, approximately 3-5 minutes, until tender. Reduce heat to low.
- Add Cream and Parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Add Greens and Herbs: Stir in baby spinach and fresh basil ribbons. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the chicken finishes cooking.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. Serve hot with extra freshly grated Parmesan and basil if preferred.
- Storage Tip: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator. Note that the tortellini will absorb broth over time, so add extra chicken broth when reheating to maintain soup consistency.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts for leaner meat or thighs for richer flavor and juiciness.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Freshly grated Parmesan delivers better flavor than pre-grated varieties.
- If refrigerated tortellini is unavailable, frozen tortellini can be substituted; cook according to package instructions.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit Parmesan cheese.
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce added salt.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian