Zesty Chicken Tortellini Soup

Section: Comforting Soups and Hearty Stews

This zesty chicken tortellini soup is loaded with seared chicken thighs, cheese tortellini, white beans, and fire roasted tomatoes. A mix of bell peppers, jalapeños, and hearty spices brings the flavor, while a swirl of cream adds richness. It’s a simple stovetop meal with minimal prep and maximum reward. Just simmer, stir, and enjoy bowl after bowl of this warming, comfort-packed soup. Great for busy nights or lazy weekends when you crave something satisfying and flavorful.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Recipe Author Maria
Updated as of Fri, 04 Jul 2025 18:24:55 GMT
A bowl of soup with a spoon in it. Bookmark
A bowl of soup with a spoon in it. | foodbymary.com

Zesty Chicken Tortellini Soup is a comfort food classic that's loaded with fresh, bold flavors! Fire roasted tomatoes, white beans, seared chicken thighs, cheese tortellini and the perfect amount of spices make this soup so good that you might just find yourself licking the bowl.

Zesty Chicken Tortellini Soup

Tortellini soup is easy to prepare and even easier to eat several bowls of. You know those dishes that are so filling and hearty that you just can't fit anymore in your belly, but they're so good that you can't deny yourself a second serving? This is definitely one of those recipes!

The majority of the time spent with the recipe is waiting. You have about 10 minutes of food prep with some chopping, and maybe 10 minutes TOPS of cooking down your initial veggies and chicken, then it's a "dump everything into a pot and wait" situation. The idea is that you want the ingredients to meld and develop, resulting in a perfect bite every time you dip your spoon down into the bowl.

Ingredients in this Chicken Tortellini Soup

  • Olive oil: For sautéing the base vegetables
  • Bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, yellow onion, celery, garlic, spinach: Fresh chopped vegetables
  • Chicken thighs: Chopped and seared
  • White beans: Canned and drained
  • Fire roasted tomatoes: For rich, smoky flavor
  • Chicken broth: As the liquid base
  • Cayenne powder, paprika, chili flakes, salt, pepper: Spice blend
  • Dried oregano, basil: Dried herbs to enhance flavor
  • Cheese tortellini: Cooked separately and added at the end
  • Heavy cream or Mexican crema: Stirred in before serving

How to Make Chicken Tortellini Soup

Cook the veggies:
Heat olive oil and sauté bell peppers, jalapeños, onion, celery and garlic for about 5 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.
Add the chicken:
Stir in chopped chicken thighs and sear for around 5 minutes until golden.
Add more ingredients and simmer:
Add fire roasted tomatoes, white beans, chicken broth, spices and herbs. Simmer everything for 20 minutes or longer.
Add tortellini and spinach:
Cook tortellini per package instructions. Add tortellini and spinach to the pot, stir and cook until spinach wilts.
Make it creamy and serve:
Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream or crema. Garnish with chili flakes, herbs or sliced peppers before serving.
A bowl of soup with a spoon in it. Bookmark
A bowl of soup with a spoon in it. | foodbymary.com

If you're looking for a lighter version, skip the heavy cream and use crema. The flavor will stay creamy without being heavy. With one teaspoon of chili flakes and two sautéed jalapeños, this dish is moderately spiced — but you can boost the heat to your liking. And don’t add the spinach too early — it wilts fast and could disappear into the broth before you're ready to eat.

Storage

Once cooled to room temperature, store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in 30-second microwave intervals until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended due to the creamy broth.

A bowl of soup with chicken and vegetables. Bookmark
A bowl of soup with chicken and vegetables. | foodbymary.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this soup less spicy?

Yes! You can reduce or omit the chili flakes and jalapeños to make it milder. Taste as you go to find your perfect heat level.

→ Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely. Chicken breast works just as well. It may be slightly leaner, so avoid overcooking to keep it juicy.

→ What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

→ Can I freeze this tortellini soup?

Freezing is not recommended due to the creamy broth, which can separate when thawed. It's best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated short-term.

→ When should I add the spinach?

Add the spinach at the very end of cooking. It wilts quickly and retains better texture and color if added just before serving.

→ Can I substitute heavy cream?

Yes, you can use Mexican crema or sour cream for a lighter alternative while still getting that creamy texture.

Zesty Chicken Tortellini Soup

Bold and hearty chicken tortellini with fire roasted tomatoes and a creamy finish.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Overall Time
40 minutes
Recipe Author: Maria

Dish Category: Soups & Stews

Recipe Difficulty: Medium Effort

Cuisine: American

Serves: 6 Serving Size (1 large pot of soup)

Dietary Options: ~

What You’ll Need to Cook

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

Ingredient 01 2 bell peppers, diced
Ingredient 02 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
Ingredient 03 1 yellow onion, chopped
Ingredient 04 2 celery stalks, sliced
Ingredient 05 4 cloves garlic, minced
Ingredient 06 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

→ Protein and Dairy

Ingredient 07 1.5 lb chicken thighs, chopped
Ingredient 08 1 cup heavy cream or Mexican crema

→ Canned and Dry Goods

Ingredient 09 1 can white beans, drained
Ingredient 10 1 can fire roasted tomatoes
Ingredient 11 4 cups chicken broth
Ingredient 12 9 oz cheese tortellini

→ Spices and Herbs

Ingredient 13 1 tsp cayenne powder
Ingredient 14 1 tsp paprika
Ingredient 15 1 tsp red chili flakes
Ingredient 16 1 tsp salt
Ingredient 17 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Ingredient 18 1 tsp dried oregano
Ingredient 19 1 tsp dried basil

→ Oils

Ingredient 20 2 tbsp olive oil

Steps to Prepare

Step 01

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté bell peppers, jalapeños, onion, celery, and garlic until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.


A bowl of soup with chicken and vegetables.
Step 02

Add chopped chicken thighs to the pot and sear for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.

Step 03

Stir in fire roasted tomatoes, white beans, chicken broth, cayenne, paprika, chili flakes, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 04

Boil tortellini separately according to package instructions. Add cooked tortellini and chopped spinach to the soup and stir to combine.

Step 05

Remove from heat, stir in heavy cream or crema, and serve hot. Garnish with additional chili flakes or fresh herbs if desired.


A bowl of soup with a spoon in it.

Extra Cooking Tips

  1. Add spinach only at the end to avoid overcooking and preserve color and texture.
  2. Adjust chili flakes and jalapeños to control spice level to taste.
  3. Sour cream can be used instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.

Must-Have Tools

  • Large soup pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Ladle

Allergen Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and seek expert advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy from cream and tortellini
  • Contains gluten from tortellini

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance and aren’t a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calories Count: 420
  • Fats: 22 grams
  • Carbs: 35 grams
  • Proteins: 28 grams