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Enjoy the warmth and comfort of our Chicken Tortellini Soup, perfectly portioned for one. This satisfying soup, cooked all in one pot, blends tender pieces of chicken with savory tortellini. It’s enhanced with fresh spinach and aromatic Italian seasoning, creating a hearty meal that’s just right for you. Ideal for chilly nights or whenever you need a comforting, nourishing meal, this recipe is quick, easy, and sure to please.
Looking for more delicious and satisfying single serving soup recipes? You’ll love our creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup, classic French Onion Soup, flavorful Cioppino, hearty Potato Soup, and the comforting Zuppa Toscana.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Adaptable: You can tweak the recipe to suit your tastes.
- Nutritious: Loaded with vegetables for a healthy boost.
- Tasty: The mix of chicken, tortellini, and Italian herbs creates a delicious flavor.
- Just the Right Size: Ideal for a single serving, so no leftovers.
A Perfect Single Serving Chicken Tortellini Soup
Craving a soul-warming bowl of chicken tortellini soup but cooking for one? This recipe is your answer! Inspired by the classic Italian dish “tortellini en brodo” (meaning “tortellini in broth”), it features tender chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and a flavorful broth – all perfectly portioned for an individual serving.
Forget spending hours in the kitchen – this single serving comes together in under an hour with minimal chopping and simple steps. Plus, it offers complete portion control, eliminating food waste. Feeling adventurous? This recipe is easily customizable! Add your favorite vegetables like cauliflower, peas, corn, or kale for extra nutrients, or toss in some shredded chicken or crumbled Italian sausage for a heartier protein boost. Enjoy the taste and comfort of classic chicken tortellini soup, perfectly portioned for your individual dining pleasure.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy chicken tortellini soup recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: In this recipe, and all others here, I use extra virgin olive oil. It’s the purest form of olive oil, unrefined and full of rich olive flavor, plus it packs more vitamins and minerals from olives. Feel free to substitute with a lighter olive oil if you prefer.
- Chicken: A 5 to 6-ounce piece of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into 1-inch chunks, works great. Alternatively, for convenience, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken. If you do, jump straight to step three in the recipe. Got an extra piece of chicken? Use one in Chicken Tikka Masala, Greek Chicken, or Chicken Parmesan.
- Vegetables: The soup features chopped onions and garlic, fresh spinach, and a single stalk each of celery and carrot for a hearty veggie mix.
- Chicken Broth: I lean towards low-sodium chicken broth to better manage the soup’s saltiness. If using low-sodium, adjust the salt to taste. If you’re using regular broth, you might want to cut back on added salt. Always taste your soup after cooking and tweak the seasonings as needed. Leftover broth can be used in Split Pea Soup, Chicken Spaghetti, or Coq au Vin.
- Seasonings: A simple combination of Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper does the trick. Italian seasoning typically blends basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Don’t have it? Just use one or two of these herbs.
- Flour: A small quantity of all-purpose flour is used to give the soup a bit thicker consistency.
- Cheese Tortellini: I use refrigerated tortellini, usually found in the grocery store’s refrigerated aisle. You can also use frozen or dried tortellini, but note these may take longer to cook. Consider using extra tortellini in Tortellini Soup.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top for that extra touch of flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Tortellini Soup: Replace chicken with tofu or beans and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup: Add a splash of cream to create a creamy chicken tortellini soup.
- Shrimp Tortellini Soup: Swap chicken with shrimp.
- Lemon Chicken Soup: Add a zest of brightness to the soup by stirring in 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or more, according to taste. It lends a citrusy twist that can bring a refreshing change to the flavor profile.
- Add Different Vegetables: If you love loading up on veggies, feel free to stir in extra spinach or toss in other vegetables of your choice. Frozen corn or peas could be great additions, adding both color and texture to the meal.
How To Make Chicken Tortellini Soup For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Season the Chicken: Toss chicken pieces in a bowl with salt and black pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil for 30 seconds. Cook chicken for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Veggies: If the pot is dry, add another ½ tablespoon of oil. Add onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and a pinch (⅛ teaspoon) of salt. Stir occasionally and cook until they soften, about 5 minutes. Mix in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Simmer the Soup: Add chicken broth, cooked chicken, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender.
- Add Tortellini: Put tortellini into the pot and let it simmer uncovered for 4 minutes.
- Finish with Spinach: Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and Enjoy: Dish the soup into a bowl, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese, and it’s ready to enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Read through the entire recipe before beginning. This small batch chicken tortellini soup recipe comes together quickly. Be sure to read through the recipe and the Ingredient Notes and gather your ingredients before starting.
- You can use arugula instead of spinach in this recipe or leave the spinach out altogether. If you love spinach, feel free to add more if you’d like.
- I use fresh tortellini because it takes just minutes to cook. Fresh tortellini can be found in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets. You can also use frozen tortellini or dried tortellini instead. These types will take a little more time to cook so be sure to adjust your cooking time based on the package instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Just be sure to freeze the soup before adding the tortellini. While the soup itself freezes wonderfully, the pasta can become mushy if frozen and then thawed. Store the soup in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in a small pot on the stove, adding fresh pasta as you warm it up.
Yes! To make a larger batch, simply double the quantities of all the ingredients. Just be sure to use a bigger pot that’s large enough to accommodate the increased volume of soup.
Absolutely! If you have leftover or rotisserie chicken on hand, it can be a great addition to this soup. Just add the cooked chicken at the same time you add the tortellini, and you’ll have a delightful twist on the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
When enjoying this single serve chicken tortellini soup, consider these accompaniments:
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping.
- Caesar Salad: For a balanced meal.
- White Wine: A crisp variety to complement flavors.
- Grated Parmesan: To sprinkle on top.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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Chicken Tortellini Soup For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (5 to 6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast -cut into 1-inch pieces (or use boneless, skinless chicken thigh)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt -divided
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 medium celery stalk -chopped
- 1 medium carrot -peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini (about 3/4 cup)
- ½ cup fresh spinach -chopped
- Optional: shredded Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Toss chicken pieces in a bowl with ⅛ teaspoon of salt and black pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil for 30 seconds. Cook chicken for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Veggies: If the pot is dry, add another ½ tablespoon of oil. Add onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and a pinch (⅛ teaspoon) of salt. Stir occasionally and cook until they soften, about 5 minutes. Mix in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Simmer the Soup: Add chicken broth, cooked chicken, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender.
- Add Tortellini: Put tortellini into the pot and let it simmer uncovered for 4 minutes.
- Finish with Spinach: Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve and Enjoy: Dish the soup into a bowl, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese, and it's ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Read through the entire recipe before beginning. This easy chicken tortellini soup recipe comes together quickly. Be sure to read through the recipe and the Ingredient Notes and gather your ingredients before starting.
- You can use arugula instead of spinach in this recipe or leave the spinach out altogether. If you love spinach, feel free to add more if you’d like.
- I use fresh tortellini because it takes just minutes to cook. Fresh tortellini can be found in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets. You can also use frozen tortellini or dried tortellini instead. These types will take a little more time to cook so be sure to adjust your cooking time based on the package instructions.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
If you substitute 3 tablespoons dried rice-cooked, for the tortellini, but keep the rest of the recipe the same, then you will have a great chicken rice soup.
Good recipe.