What can warm your soul when it is brrrr cold outside? A glowing fire? Family? Lit candles?
How ’bout homemade soup? We have a few favorites. This one is from a fellow Army wife from our Germany days. It’s Chicken Tortellini Soup.
chicken soup with a twist
Try this hearty chicken soup with a twist. Traditional Italian seasonings and tortellini give this chicken soup a boast in flavor.
It’s basically home made. Typically I use fresh vegetables, some canned soup though I have made cream soups from scratch and store bought tortellini.
I’m thinking that is home made enough!
But what if you just want something that’s one pot and even easier to make? Use premium canned chicken breast and frozen broccoli.
fresh tortellini only?
I prefer the fresh tortellini from in a cold case near the cheeses and other fresh pastas. No, I have not ever made pasta of any kind! Other options are dried or frozen. All work.
The extras are Parmesan shredded cheese, Italian croutons, and fresh bread.
Usually when I make soup that has pasta of any kind, I don’t put it in the soup pot. I make it seperately and after draining it, I set the pasta aside to be added to the bowls before serving.
I do not like pasta that is too mushy and soft in our soups. Any extra pasta is stored in the refridge. It lasts a week or more.
Making the soup
First thing, I put the chicken breast on to simmer in my soup pot. Sometimes I do cube it before cooking. For this batch, I cut each breast into pieces about the same thickness and size for even cooking. I used 3 boneless breasts for my double batch.
Bring to a boil then put it on low to simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. Removed cooked chicken into a bowl. Save all the broth!
Add the creamed soup, whisk or stir to blend it all together. Now it is ready to add the vegetables and chicken.
First thing, I put the chicken breast on to simmer in my soup pot. Sometimes I do cube it before cooking. For this batch, I cut each breast into pieces about the same thickness and size for even cooking. I used 3 boneless breasts for my double batch.
Bring to a boil then put it on low to simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. Removed cooked chicken into a bowl. Save all the broth!
Add the creamed soup, whisk or stir to blend it all together. Now it is ready to add the vegetables and chicken.
Do you have a big soup pot? I actually have two. I use my Le Creuset Dutch Oven or the Revereware soup / pasta pot for soups and chilis. I use the Le Creuset for spaghetti sauce and tomato based chilis because of the extra heavy bottom of the enamaled cast iron. The big tall soup / pasta pot is great for not only soups but also for several boxes of spaghetti when family comes for supper!
Here the two stock pots I use. The blue one is actually a Dutch Oven but it is an all purpose pot!
These are affiliate links to the pots. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Hearty breads
Add loaf bread to slice and the extra garnished of Parmesan cheese and Italian croutons when serving. This is hearty cranberry loaf. We especially like toasted buttered French loaf slices. Adding croutons instead of breads are just about perfect also.
This soup is absolutely comfort food!
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Equipment
- 1 large soup pot
- 1 laddle
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 strainer
- 1 whisk
- 1 vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 2 cups cut up cooked chicken breasts optional: 3 5 oz cans of premium chuck white meat chicken
- 1 med bunch fresh broccoli cut into small florets and pieces Optional: 9 oz bag frozen brocoli, thawed
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 garlic gloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teas basil
- 1/2 teas oregano
- 7 oz fresh cheese tortellini Optional: frozen or dried
- 6 1/2 cup water
- 1 10 3/4 oz can cream of chicken soup
Granish and extras
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian croutons
- Loaf bread to slice
Instructions
- Using the soup stock pot, cook chicken breasts in the water. Bring to a boil then simmer for 25 minutes until cooked. Keep the stock for the soup base
- .Remove cooked chicken breasts from pot and set them aside to cool.
- Add cream of chicken soup to the chicken stock water and blend well with a whisk or spoon
- Roughly chop chicken into bite size pieces
- Add the chicken and chopped vegetables to the pot exceptthe broccoli
- Add seasonings
- Bring to a boil then simmer for 40 minutes
- Cook tortellini separately, drain and set aside until serving
- Add thawed frozen brocoli and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes
- Serve with cheese, croutons to garnish and bread
Enjoying cooking
I sometimes like to take the time to cook a quiet peaceful day. I find it relaxing. I put on music and taking advantage of a quite house and my quiet day.
Take advantage of that kind of time. It’s precious and rare, at least for me.
Times like this warm my soul!
It’s wonderful meal for this cold weather. It is definitely comfort food. Plus, it is good warmed up for lunch!
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Esme Slabbert says
What an awesome and lovely chicken soup with all those veggies. Pinned it as its perfect for our upcoming winter
I visited you via Sundays on Silverado #167
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bushel and a pickle says
Hi Esme, Thanks for stopping by. I subscribed and look forward to seeing your posts and to the linky party posts.
Linda
Rachel - Tea and Forget-me-nots says
It’s cold and rainy here today so this is just the thing I need to read!
Cara says
Hi Linda, this looks and sounds delicious! I love soup on a cold day, or even when it is blazing outside. I just honestly love soup since I can make several portions of it and my crockpot does all of the work. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
bushel and a pickle says
You are welcome Cara. A good soup is good no matter the season!
Maria says
Oh my goodness there’s not much that beats a hot soup on a chilly day. Soup is one thing that I feel really comfortable making, not sure why. This soup looks so tasty, especially because of the tortellini.
bushel and a pickle says
Thanks Maria. Soup is fairly forgiving and easy to make! I like it for lunch too.
Donna says
Your soup looks and sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding tortellini! Pinning now!
bushel and a pickle says
It does make it a different soup from the usual noodles. Thanks fo coming by
Rachel - Tea and Forget-me-nots says
We’re expected to get snow next week so this seems like the perfect answer!
bushel and a pickle says
Still no snow here! But we still like delicious soups!Thanks Rachel for coming by.
Marie says
As I read this, I was glancing out my window. Wishing I could blink and this dish would appear!