Alfredo Chicken Tortellini Soup + Video
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Chicken Tortellini Soup captures the flavors of the classic Italian alfredo pasta dish in a hearty soup! Filled with juicy chicken and tender vegetables, this creamy chicken tortellini soup recipe makes a tasty, comforting meal that will warm you right up.
Chicken Tortellini Soup
I absolutely love chicken alfredo, so I am beyond excited to share my chicken alfredo tortellini soup with you.
This creamy dish preserves all the beloved qualities of traditional Italian dish, but transforms it into a savory soup recipe with vegetables.
Chicken alfredo soup with tortellini is the perfect comfort meal to whip up on a busy day when you’re not quite sure what to make for dinner.
It’s a quick and easy dinner idea that saves so much time — ready in just 30 minutes!
Recipe Video
To see us make this chicken tortellini soup recipe from start to finish, watch the video in this post!
For more delicious 30-minute meal ideas, check out my Three Cheese Lasagna Soup or my Italian Sausage and Pepper Soup.
And if you love this recipe, give my 20-Minute Tortellini Alfredo a try next. It’s just as simple and delicious, but the addition of cream cheese really sets it apart!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Boneless thighs are a great alternative to chicken breasts if you prefer dark meat.
Don’t like chicken? You can try this chicken tortellini alfredo with sliced or crumbled Italian sausage instead! - Vegetables – I use spinach, carrots, and onion, but you can add your favorite vegetables to make this chicken tortellini soup even more nutritious and delicious!
Mushrooms, celery, kale, or broccoli would all make excellent additions. - Cheese Tortellini – You can use either fresh or frozen tortellini, but you’ll need to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
I went with cheese tortellini, but chicken tortellini is also a great choice. - Reduced Sodium Chicken Stock – Since this recipe already includes additional salt, use a low sodium variety to control the salt levels.
- Half-and-Half – This is the essential ingredient to give your soup that creamy alfredo consistency.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Sprinkle some red pepper flakes to add a little kick of spice. If you don’t like spicy flavors, you can leave this ingredient out.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly shredded parmesan cheese will help make your chicken tortellini soup thick and creamy.
Tips for Making Chicken Alfredo Soup with Tortellini
- Stir to prevent clumps.
The key to preventing clumps in your alfredo is stirring the pot frequently as you make the soup base.
You’ll want to pay special attention to the flour, adding it slowly and whisking it well to make sure that it gets fully incorporated.
- Amp up the flavor.
Fresh herbs are full of flavor and will taste amazing in chicken alfredo soup with tortellini!
They will also fill your kitchen with an incredible aroma as you cook. Try adding basil, thyme, or oregano.
- Try fresh tortellini.
I use frozen tortellini for this recipe, but you can use fresh tortellini if desired.
In this case, simply reduce the cooking time of the pasta to 2 or 3 minutes.
- Add spinach last!
Wait until the last few minutes of cooking to add your greens — it only takes a few minutes for spinach to wilt into the chicken tortellini alfredo.
Serving Suggestions
While this hearty chicken tortellini soup is wonderful on its own, pairing it with another dish will make your meal complete!
There’s no better combination than warm soup and bread. Try my No-Knead Roasted Garlic Skillet Bread or Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits — they’re easier and tastier than a box mix.
Want a full spread? You can’t go wrong with a big bowl of copycat Olive Garden salad!
And for a tasty lunch combo, serve up a smaller bowl with a crispy Monte Cristo sandwich loaded with turkey, ham, and Swiss cheese.
Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe FAQ
Most soup recipes use flour as a thickener, sprinkled over the sauteed veggies before adding the liquid.
If you need to thicken soups after they are done, you’re better off with a cornstarch slurry. Dissolving the cornstarch in water ensures you won’t get clumps of powder throughout the soup.
And for creamy soups, like this recipe, you can just thicken it with extra parmesan cheese!
If you go a little overboard (we’ve all been there), stir in a little bit more chicken stock to thin it out.
Yes. While I recommend using half-and-half since it’s richer and thicker than milk, regular milk will still get you a creamy, hearty soup.
Plus, you can add additional parmesan cheese to make it even creamier!
Storing and Reheating Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
You can store leftover soup for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Just let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container.
If you want to keep it longer, you can stick it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To reheat, warm the soup on the stove over low heat. You may need to add some milk to loosen it up.
Be sure to stir frequently as you reheat! This is essential to prevent milk- or cream-based soups from separating or becoming grainy.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Delicious Soup Recipes
Alfredo Chicken Tortellini Soup + Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 ounces baby carrots, halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 9 ounces cheese tortellini, frozen or fresh
- 2 cups freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 ounces fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Warm a large pot over medium-high heat. Once you can feel the heat when you hold your hand 6 inches above the pot, add the butter and let it melt. Add the onion and carrots. Cook the vegetables until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Then add the chicken, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook for 3 minutes, just to get a little color on the chicken, stirring occasionally. Don’t worry about the chicken being cooked through, because we are going to continue cooking it.
- Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and veggies. Stir to coat everything and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes to cook out the floury taste. Stir in the chicken stock, half-and-half and red pepper flakes. Continue cooking until the soup thickens, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the tortellini to the pot and cook until al dente (has a bite to it), 5 to 7 minutes (frozen takes longer). Remove the pot from the heat. Sprinkle a handful of cheese over the soup and stir. Once it has melted into the soup, add another handful. Slowly melting the cheese will give the soup a smooth consistency. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as necessary. Pour into bowls and garnish with the spinach.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published January 2018, updated and republished October 2023
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For all the people looking for the video of this soup: At the very bottom of the recipe (after the share option), there is a line of options for you. You will find one which says ‘video.’ This will take you to pages of recipes which have been saved. You will have to scroll through pages until you reach this recipe. Your video will be on that recipe.
tried this last night! had rainy weather, so it really hit the spot! very good! thank you
when you think there can’t be another chicken soup recipe to try here comes yours. This was really good, a keeper recipe. I always roast my chicken breast in the oven, just gives them more flavor, then I diced them. Otherwise I stuck to your recipe.
Thanks
Delicious! Made this last night and husband said I hit it out of the park! (very picky son also loved it!!) Will make again, but with less carrots.
There are very few meals that make my very picky 18 year old rush to the table when it’s time for dinner. This soup is one of them. Awesome!
Can this soup be frozen?
It was delicious!
Hi Mary,
We are so happy you enjoyed it!! Have a great day!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli
I have made this soup many times. My grandson is not a fan of tomato sauces and prefers white or Alfredo. He loves this soup. Try it you will love it.
Hi Carolyn!
We’re so glad you and your grandson enjoy the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
I have made this several times and it is always a hit. This is a meal in itself.
This was a good recipe! I did add the spinach in before the liquids and let in cook down. I have another recipe for tortellini that calls for cream cheese and spinach and you add it in while cooking and not after and it’s much better that way. I would think one could go ahead and add the cream cheese to this also, but wanted to try it the first time without it. Also the tortellini takes much longer than 5 to 7 minutes to cook even unthawed which mine was. If you don’t constantly stir it sticks and who wants to do that. After it started sticking I just put it in the crockpot to slowly cook the tortellini further.
This soup is easily adaptable to what you have on hand. Don’t have uncooked chicken breasts? Add some rotisserie chicken once the soup is heated. Don’t have frozen tortellini? Fresh works fines. Don’t have fresh spinach? Frozen will work. Don’t have grated parmesan? Throw in some parmigiano reggiano rinds and they’ll impart the flavor.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. It’s become a family favorite.
Hi Cat!
It really is! We’re so glad that you enjoy it.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Can I fix this in the crock pot?