Chicken Spinach Tortellini Soup is not the usual recipe you want to make when you’re on vacation. But when the weather heads south, like we did, you crave something deliciously warm and spicy. This is a zesty chicken vegetable soup that will warm your tummy as well as your body. Fresh cheese tortellini cooks in no time and hot chunky salsa spikes the rich broth. The recipe is so versatile you can make countless variations and we’ll give you more ideas.
For this recipe you’ll need: chicken tenders or rotisserie chicken, baby spinach, fresh cheese tortellini, chicken or vegetable stock, garlic, onion, olive oil, oregano, petite cut tomatoes with green chiles, chunky salsa ( you’re heat tolerance), oregano.
Craving Chicken Spinach Tortellini Soup
We escaped the bitter cold of the North only to find ourselves in the midst of a snow and sleet storm in Florida. Very unusual! It was so unusual we had to get off the Interstate because it was closed. Here we were looking for sunshine and we found this:
(That’s Honey’s voice in the background — he thought I was taking a still photo and didn’t know I was filming it. )
The weather was in the 40’s when we arrived at our final destination. This was not what we were looking for — we wanted sunshine and warm weather. 😎
The next day we went to get our supplies and one of the stops was at Trader Joe. Flowers are a must when I go there.
Along with the flowers we bought fresh cheese-filled pasta, and baby spinach for the zesty chicken tortellini soup.
Getting the supplies for the Chicken Spinach Tortellini Soup
We left Giotto’s then stopped at a big box store where we bought a rotisserie chicken for the soup. When I made the soup on Facebook Live I used chicken tenders. Either way tastes great.
I’ll be quite honest, rotisserie chicken can be a life-saver in the kitchen. You can make quite a few meals out of it and it’s inexpensive.
Several more stops and we were ready to start on the spicy chicken spinach soup.
The soup begins with the onions and garlic sauteing in a large Dutch oven or pot. See that steam coming off of the onions and garlic? It’s already starting to warm and perfume the house. 😋
Next comes the chicken, if you’re using chicken tenders, but this time we’re using rotissierie chicken so we immediately add the rest of the ingredients.
We’ve mentioned how much we love our spicy soups so we made sure our petite cut tomatoes had green chiles in the can. Along with the tomatoes we bought the hot salsa instead of the mild or medium variety.
The broth went in next and we let it come to a simmer. Ahhh!! I could feel myself warming up. 🌶
(Caveat — start off with a large enough pot. You’ll notice we started off with a silver pot and ended up with a black one. Yep!! By the time we added the rest of the ingredients it was getting a bit too full. )
We used the dark meat off the rotissierie chicken and saved the breast meat to use for another time. Once the meat was in the soup we let it come to a simmer again and then added the fresh cheese tortellini.
Now, we’re getting to the home stretch!
Finishing the Chicken Spinach Tortellini Soup
We added the baby spinach leaves and they wilt immediately. The soup is ready to serve. Wasn’t that easy? And you know what? This soup can be the basis of many other delicious soups.
Tips on variations:
- Tex-Mex Soup — instead of tortellini add beans, corn, cumin, and top with crushed tortilla chips.
- Italian Soup — instead of tortellini add cannellini beans, switch the petite tomatoes with green chiles for Italian seasoned petite tomatoes and keep the salsa, it’s good! You could add zucchini to it and orecchiette.
- Vegetarian Soup — omit the chicken and tortellini and add beans, tofu, vegetables you like.
- Chinese Soup — Omit the tortellini add a bit of ginger to the broth and soy sauce along with the chicken. Instead of the olive oil to saute the garlic use a bit of sesame oil. Ditch the canned tomatoes but keep the salsa. That will keep the zest instead of the oriental hot sauces like Sambal Oelek. Use bok choy for the green or whichever greens you like. Use Chinese noodles for the pasta, any kind you like.
YOU MAY NEED . . .
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Chicken Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe
This zesty vegetable tortellini soup comes together quickly whether you use rotissierie chicken or chicken tenders. Once the broth, canned diced tomatoes, salsa are simmering it’s only a matter of putting in the shredded or diced chicken, fresh tortellini, and spinach then you’re spicy chicken spinach soup is ready to eat.
Chicken Spinach Tortellini Soup with a Southwestern Flair
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders in bite size pieces or rotissiere shredded.
- 6 oz baby spinach
- 10 oz fresh cheese tortellini
- 2 quarts low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 14 oz. petite cut tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 cup chunky salsa hot, medium, or mild
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large Dutch Oven or pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook until the onion sweats. Lightly salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken bites and continue to cook until the chicken bites lightly brown. Lightly salt and pepper. (If using the rotissiere chicken skip this step)
- Add the broth, oregano, petite cut tomatoes, and salsa. Bring to a gentle simmer. Now add the shredded rotisserie chicken and again bring to a simmer.
- Add the tortellini; bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until the tortellinni are tender -- about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in spinach. It will wilt right away. Serve hot.
Nutrition
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Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
December 3, 2018 at 12:36 amThis soup sounds so delicious and so hearty! I’m sure it would be absolutely perfect for the colder temperatures we’ve been having lately!
Georgie says
December 3, 2018 at 12:24 amThis looks so so cozy for the winter! I’ve been meaning to make more soups lately so I will definitely give this a try!
Anne Lawton says
December 2, 2018 at 5:34 pmI love this soup and all of the variations. Thanks for sharing! And I hope the weather improved.
Kathryn @ Urban Foodie Kitchen says
December 2, 2018 at 4:35 pmThis looks like a good one to add to my winter soups list! Great shortcut to use a rotisserie chicken!
Chef Markus Mueller says
December 2, 2018 at 1:30 pmI love adding pasta to my chicken soup! Using tortellini just adds that many more options depending on what kind of tortellini you use! Love the recipe suggestions for different styles you provide!
Marisa Franca says
December 2, 2018 at 1:39 pmThank you, Chef Markus! I bet you make some amazing soups.
Tatiana says
December 2, 2018 at 1:07 pmI like the idea of using rotisserie chicken here, shreds so quickly. Tortellini soup is one of my favorite anyways, love it!
Michelle says
December 2, 2018 at 11:27 amThis is such a great soup! It’s a meal all in its self. Perfect for cold weather comfort food.
Saima says
December 2, 2018 at 12:20 amWhat a nice recipe for the cold weather! Who can refuse chicken soup in the winter, especially where I live where temperatures can dip really low. Wholesome and warming! And I love the fact that you’ve given so many different variations on it.
Amy says
November 30, 2018 at 10:26 pmThis looks fantastic! I love getting new soup recipes especially this time of year! I’ll be adding your recipe to the list.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
November 30, 2018 at 9:36 amI have been craving soup lately and looking for something different to make. I’m glad I found this recipe! I love the combination of spinach, chicken and tortellini. I’ve never thought to use tortellini in soup before. Yuuum!
Pam Greer says
November 30, 2018 at 6:58 amOh my goodness, I would be so disappointed if I was heading south and it was that cold! Looks like you made the best of the situation with this amazing soup!
Renee Gardner says
November 29, 2018 at 8:56 pmThis soup makes me excited for the cold, wet, days of winter – what I like to call soup season!
Mirlene says
November 22, 2018 at 7:08 amThis soup sounds so comforting! This is the perfect soup to have during the cold days. I also love how it has all of my favorite ingredients. Tis recipe brings it right back to home.
Catherine says
November 20, 2018 at 12:14 pmThis soup looks delicious and so comforting, Marisa. My family would love this especially with the tortellini in there. XO
Jyothi (Jo) says
November 20, 2018 at 8:53 amI’m a soup girl. And being in the middle of soup season I can’t have enough soup recipes. Definitely saving your recipe
Jeannette says
November 20, 2018 at 2:04 amI love these comfort foods that just bring the warmth to our tummies. Cheese filled pasta is the best. It’s one of those things that I miss. I live in a 2nd world country and these types of luxuries (yes we consider them luxuries, lol) are so scarce. I am visiting America in December, and definitely packing some tortellini in our container to bring back home. The spinach here is amazing; I can’t wait to try it with this recipe.
Marisa Franca says
November 20, 2018 at 6:06 amHello, Jeannette! I certainly grew to appreciate food from my mamma and papà. They grew up at a time when meat was scarce and every bit of food was a luxury. I understand and I know you’ll love the recipe — it is full of flavor!! Welcome to America and I hope you’ll have a wonderful visit!
Claudia Lamascolo says
November 19, 2018 at 7:20 pmhow I love the vibrant colors here in this soup and the fantastic richness. It’s very much a favorite of our whole family. Although we use escarole I love the addition of spinach and will have to try using this some time. Comforting over load right here!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
November 19, 2018 at 5:45 pmWhat a yummy looking soup! It is cold in our area and this so hearty and delicious. It looks like a great way to use leftover turkey from Thursday’s dinner!
Mahy Elamin says
November 19, 2018 at 4:15 pmThis is a perfect comfortable soup for me. Quick to make and all the ingredients are very simple. I think it is worth trying because looks tasty.
Dan Zehr says
November 19, 2018 at 4:09 pmThis soup contains all the ingredients that I LOVE. This is a really ingenious recipe. I would try for lunch or dinner. Looks tasty and the main thing is easy.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
September 20, 2018 at 9:15 amjust perfect winter comfort food – love all the veggies too! I need a bowl once a week all winter.
Veena Azmanov says
September 6, 2018 at 3:39 pmNow that is comfort food. With the cold weather coming in soon, the kids are going to be in soup mode. Every day its soup, salad, and bread for dinner. Can’t wait to try this one soon.
Arlene Mobley says
September 6, 2018 at 12:17 pmIt is still hot here! But you have my mouth watering. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Tortellini soup is so easy to make and you can make so many variations.
Gloria says
September 4, 2018 at 5:38 pmWell the cold weather season is just around the corner (unfortunately). Soon food in bowls will be happening for several months. This sounds just like the right bowl of comfort food for me. I would make a HUGE batch…and try to have leftovers (if the kids did not come over and take some home first).
Stephanie Simmons says
July 16, 2018 at 10:30 amThis sounds (and looks!) so good! I love a hearty soup and this fits the bill perfectly!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
July 15, 2018 at 9:12 pmI love this soup and this would be such a filling one pot meal for sure. Love the addition of salsa in the recipe. I have never tried it before. I always have some tortellini in the freezer. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
July 15, 2018 at 3:06 pmThis soup looks so good and comforting, adding tortellini is a great idea. I actually have some in the freezer making this soup this week!
Blogtastic Food says
July 15, 2018 at 5:52 amWow yum!! Looks so warm and comforting (:
Lauren Vavala says
July 14, 2018 at 9:20 pmThis recipe is the perfect comfort food, but without all the heaviness! Love the addition of chicken and spinach – yum!
Noel Lizotte says
July 14, 2018 at 7:48 pmI love soup. I love chicken. I love tortellini. This soup was meant for me!
I’m adding this to my list of regular soups … they work in a rotation since I’m cooking for two these days … don’t want too many leftovers all at once – so I make soups just now and then.
Veena Azmanov says
July 14, 2018 at 5:05 pmThat is a bowl of pure comfort food!! I love soups but here the summers are so hot that we save soups for winter. I can’t wait to try this. Sounds so yum. Such a pretty color too.
Gloria says
July 14, 2018 at 2:38 pmThis looks like a comforting bowl of goodness right there. I know when the fall rolls around, and comfort food season takes hold, meals in bowls are the way to go. Nothing beats a great homemade soup any day of the week. Love the fact you can have leftovers too. It is always better the next day!!
Sally Humeniuk says
July 14, 2018 at 1:35 pmI love recipes like this where leftover rotisserie chicken is used in a fabulous soup such as this. It sounds delicious with the fresh tortellini and using chunky salsa is genius! Great recipe and nice post. Thanks for sharing.
Claudia Lamascolo says
July 14, 2018 at 12:36 pmNow that is one of the heartiest soups I have seen and love! Tortellini is a whole meal and in a soup with spinach wow what a great idea!
Sara says
January 14, 2018 at 11:05 pmThis looks like a fantastic offering for a cold days meal! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Meredith says
January 14, 2018 at 8:29 pmI love the versatility of this soup! The tortellini look delicious and I can’t wait to make it. Pinning to try later in the week!
Amanda Mason says
January 14, 2018 at 3:35 pmI love that you started this post off with the ingredients you will need! And I can’t believe you had that type of weather in Florida! Although last March is was in the 50’s and it almost ruined our family vacation! This recipe sounds delish and I love the accommodations you listed for the different dietary needs!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
January 14, 2018 at 2:09 pmThis looks like it would be wonderful on a cold winter day! Such a nice hearty soup!!
Helene says
January 14, 2018 at 6:31 amI have some fresh spinach in my fridge and I was contemplating what to make of it. This tortellini soup would be the best way to enjoy a cool sunday evening. full of flavors making me happy after a relaxed day.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
January 13, 2018 at 1:04 pmWow…cold in Florida, unbelievable! I’m in Rome since after Christmas and we’re having a beautiful Spring-like weather, a little unusual as well for January. The weather is definitely getting crazy. Love your comforting tortellini soup with spinach, I would just skip the chicken for me.
Sharon Glascoe says
January 13, 2018 at 12:17 pmThis is a great pot of soup! Thanks for adding the variations to this as well.
Analida Braeger says
January 13, 2018 at 10:19 amI am loving this soup and the spicy flavors! I find myself getting those rotisserie chickens and saving a carcass
or 2 in the freezer to later boil up to make my own chicken stock. So good!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
January 13, 2018 at 10:05 amLove the ideas for variations you’ve given here. What a fun way to mix things up! This looks like it’s a comforting bowl of soup, no matter how you serve it!
Michelle says
January 12, 2018 at 4:34 pmThat looks so easy and so satisfying. Yum!
Kushi says
January 12, 2018 at 6:51 amPerfect for this weather. Looks amazing
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:29 pmThank you, Kushi! It is a great tasting soup.
Ciao Chow Linda says
January 11, 2018 at 2:34 pmGreat idea to use those already cooked rotisserie chickens from the supermarket. I actually have some chicken meat in the freezer from a broth I made and have been trying to decide what to do with it. This is a perfect solution.
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:30 pmHi, Linda! The rotisserie chicken has been a life-saver for me several times. And I can use the bones for broth. It’s a win-win. Have a great weekend.
Denise Wright says
January 11, 2018 at 7:31 amI love soup and this looks like one my family will love! I like that it’s hearty enough to eat as a meal too!
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:45 pmHi, Denise! Some homemade bread and a salad would be perfect along with it. Oh, and some wine. Have a good weekend.
Amanda says
January 9, 2018 at 10:39 pmI’m loving this southwestern twist on traditional tortellini soup! I would’ve never thought to add salsa. Can’t wait to add this to my winter soup rotation (soup is on the menu several times a week in our house!).
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:44 pmHi, Amanda! You wouldn’t believe how good the salsa is in it! You can get the heat factor that you like.
Veena Azmanov says
January 9, 2018 at 2:33 pmI am so loving all the soup season this year. Cold weather out side and hot soup inside. Can’t go wrong with that. Right? This soup looks so hearty and scrumptious. Love tortellini but never usually make it often. Must try this soup soon.
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:43 pmHi, Veena! Tortellin is really a nice addition to our soups. I’m sure your kids would love it.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
January 9, 2018 at 1:51 pmI like the way you have given a typically Italian soup a makeover and headed south with the recipe. 😀
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:42 pmThank you, Karen! We do like to mix up flavors! xoxo
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
January 9, 2018 at 8:44 amI don’t use tortellini in my soup nearly enough. Looking at and reading about your soup makes me want to fix that right away! I will start by making your recipe! Your photos are gorgeous and the soup looks delicious!
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:41 pmThank you, Elaine! This recipe is very easy and oh so tasty. I know you’ll enjoy it.
Susie says
January 8, 2018 at 9:30 pmHi Marisa…..As for soup variations….We enjoy all soups but do more Tex Mex…..I’m glad your weather is getting warmer…..Relax and enjoy your vacation.
Sorry I missed your phone call yesterday……I’ll be in touch soon😊
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:40 pmHi, Susie!! Well, it looks like we may have to make some more soup. The weather is turning cooler again. Love to everyone.
Jolina says
January 8, 2018 at 8:38 pmThis looks fantastic! Perfect for the arctic freeze we’re currently in. Sorry the cold followed you to Florida. Though I find a trip to Trader Joe’s always cheers me up 🙂
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:40 pmHi, Jolina! Trader Joes can make the gumpiest person cheerful. Have a great weekend.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
January 8, 2018 at 5:48 pmWe are right in the middle of soup season. This sounds delicious, and I know my kids (and grandkids) would devour this. Hearty and comforting….homemade soup is always so good.
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:38 pmHi, Gloria! I didn’t think we’d be in soup territory but it looks like we are. You’re right — homemade soup is always good.
Debbie and George says
January 8, 2018 at 4:26 pm***** That’s 5 stars 🙂
We had the bad weather here also, and lost power for hours. Soup is a definite plan this time of year. Stay safe and warm!
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:37 pmHi!! So sorry to hear about your weather. We listen to your news station every morning. Hopefully the weather turns warmer soon. Love you guys!!
Jovina says
January 8, 2018 at 2:45 pmDefinitely a soup to warm you up. Looks so delicious.
Marisa Franca says
January 12, 2018 at 2:36 pmThank you, Jovina! Looks like we’re going to have to make more — it’s getting chilly again. Have a nice weekend.