What type of Tortellini is best for this Soup

Tortellini is readily available in refrigerated, frozen, and dried forms with various fillings, ranging from cheese and spinach to chicken. I recommend refrigerated cheese tortellini in this recipe for optimal results as it reduces the preparation time and delivers a larger and softer texture than dried or frozen tortellini.

Can I use other types of pasta?

Yes, any type of noodles or pasta would be fine, although the cooking time will vary depending on the type used.

How would I make this recipe with uncooked chicken?

If you don't have any precooked chicken on hand, don't worry. You can still make this recipe. You have a couple of options: 1. You can slice your chicken into bite-sized pieces and saute the raw chicken with the onions, garlic, and carrots. Then, continue with the recipe as written. 2. Cook your chicken separately and add it to the recipe as directed. I have three different ways I like to prep my chicken for use in recipes throughout the week. The first is poaching boneless skinless chicken breasts in the microwave. To do this, place the chicken in the bottom of a Pyrex dish (make sure the dish is not so big it will interfere with the rotating plate in your microwave.), add enough water to mostly cover the chicken, then cover the dish with plastic wrap. (If your chicken pieces are huge, I recommend cutting them into even-sized pieces.) Cook the chicken on high for about 11 minutes. (11 minutes does cook 4 huge chicken breasts [cut into smaller pieces] in my 1100-watt microwave. All microwaves are different, so check your chicken for done-ness using a thermometer .) The second is pan-frying a family pack of tenderloins seasoned with salt and pepper and sometimes a little paprika. You can then dice this chicken or shred it as needed for your recipes. Thirdly, I will often pressure cook a large amount of chicken at the beginning of the week and use it in everything from soups to chicken salad.

Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken?

Definitely! This soup is a great way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving.

Can This Soup be Frozen

You can freeze this soup with a caveat. The tortellini does not do well once defrosted. So, if you plan to freeze leftovers, I recommend either cooking the tortellini separately and adding the desired amount to your serving bowl or removing the tortellini from the soup and freezing them separately.

Easy Chicken Tortellini Soup - Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Description

This easy chicken tortellini soup is the perfect comforting meal for busy weeknights. Made with pre-cooked chicken and fresh tortellini, it’s ready in just about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 large red onion chopped
2 cups diced carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 teaspoon black pepper
1 package (9oz) Fresh Cheese Tortellini (about 3 cups)
1/2 cup half & half
1 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken
Optional: 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil and/or parmesan cheese for garnish

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Instructions

In a large sauce pot over medium-high heat add the olive oil, once hot add the onion, carrots, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes until the onion has softened.
Add the Chicken broth, oregano, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the tortellini and cook for another 5 minutes, until the tortellini are cooked. Add half and half and cooked chicken and cook for 2 minutes.
Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot in a bowl, garnish with fresh basil.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 472
Fat: 15
Carbohydrates: 39
Fiber: 5
Protein: 34