Are you searching for the perfect meal that combines comfort, convenience, and incredible flavors? Look no further, because we have a delightful recipe for Crockpot Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup! This rich and cozy soup is literal chicken soup for your soul. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, with just 8 simple ingredients and a mere 20 minutes of active prep time (or less!). Consider this easy crockpot chicken soup your trusty weeknight hero.

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Why We Love This Crockpot Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup

You know those days when nothing seems to go right? It’s cold and rainy, you got a flat tire, your boss heaps on the work, and your kids are cranky? We feel you. In fact, those are the exact kinda days this recipe for chicken tortellini soup was built for.

If you started a pot of this hearty Italian-inspired creamy tortellini soup recipe in the morning, all the negativity will melt away as soon as you walk through the door and smell the tantalizing aroma of lusciously flavorful goodness wafting through your kitchen. 

Aside from being a working Mom’s dream, this chicken tortellini soup recipe is also:

• Quick & Easy – This set-it-and-forget-it meal is the epitome of convenience, allowing you to enjoy a warm, satisfying dinner with zero fuss. It takes just 20 minutes of active kitchen time or less!
• Cozy & Comforting – With tender bites of succulent chicken, plump tortellini swimming in a cheesy broth, and a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, every spoonful of this slow cooker creamy chicken soup is like a comforting hug in a bowl. It’s the perfect dish for the darkest, coldest, busiest days of winter!
• Made With Only 8 Ingredients – Most of which are pantry staples!

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy chicken tortellini soup. Here’s what to grab:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – In our opinion, dark meat chicken thighs are the bee’s knees. Not only are they cheaper than chicken breasts, but they’re also more likely to stay tender and juicy over long cook times. Feel free to swap in boneless skinless breasts if that’s what you have on hand!
• Onion – Any color of onion or even a shallot will work here. 
• Cream Cheese – This inexpensive kitchen staple is always hanging out in our fridge. Heck, it’s even part of our blog name! Feel free to swap in slightly lighter Neufchatel cheese to save a bit on calories.
• Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix – If you’re like us, you keep a giant Costco-sized jar of this in your spice cabinet. 
• Bacon – For a lovely smoky, salty flavor that can’t be beat. Feel free to use pre-cooked bacon bits if you’re short on time.
• Chicken Broth – We suggest reaching for low-sodium broth to keep your salt intake in check. Feel free to use veggie broth or chicken bone broth instead.
• Frozen Cheese Tortellini – These tender little pockets of cheesy, carby goodness take this crockpot creamy chicken soup to whole new heights of deliciousness. If you can’t find them in the frozen aisle, feel free to swap in frozen potato gnocchi instead. Trust us: nobody will balk at a bowl of crockpot chicken gnocchi soup. 
• Cheddar Cheese – We told you this soup was all about the creamy comfort. If possible, shred your own cheese for the best texture and flavor. If you don’t have the arm power in you, your food processor will make short work of it.

How To Make Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup in the Crockpot

This quick and easy slow cooker creamy tortellini soup comes together with almost zero input. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Set-It-And-Forget-It. Place chicken, onion, ranch dressing mix, bacon (leaving some to the side for garnish), cream cheese, and chicken broth into your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3 hours.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker. 

Step 3: Add the Frozen Tortellini. Cover and let cook 45 minutes to an hour, until tortellini is cooked.

Step 4: Finish. Stir the cheddar cheese into the slow cooker right before you are ready to eat and let melt.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

Optional Variations

As much as we love this exact recipe for crockpot chicken tortellini soup, there are several ways to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Veg Out! Feel free to add some color and nutrition by stirring in some spinach, cooked carrots, or even peas when you add the tortellini to the soup.
• Gluten-Free – Swap in your favorite GF dumpling-style pasta.
• Pork-Free – Use turkey bacon instead. As an added bonus, this helps to cut back on calories.

Expert Tips

This chicken cheese tortellini soup recipe is pretty straightforward, but we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve:

• Save yourself even more prep time (and some tears) by keeping a bag of frozen chopped onions tucked in the freezer.
• While store-bought chicken broth works perfectly fine, using homemade broth can elevate the flavors of your soup even further. Simmering leftover chicken bones, vegetable scraps, and herb stems in water for a few hours will result in a rich, flavorful broth that helps you get the most out of your grocery haul. Once it’s made, it keeps well in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
• Tortellini cooks relatively quickly, and overcooking can lead to mushy pasta. To ensure the perfect texture, add the tortellini towards the end of the cooking process, allowing it to simmer for just enough time to become tender. 
• Taste your soup before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. Depending on your preferences, you might want to add a pinch of salt, a sprinkle of black pepper, or a touch of dried herbs like basil or oregano. 

FAQs

What are some good dishes to serve with tortellini soup?

When serving tortellini soup, you can complement its flavors with a variety of dishes. Here are some good options to consider:
1. Salad: A simple mixed green salad with a vinaigrette dressing or a Caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil can provide a nice contrast to the warm and hearty soup.
2. Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: The bread can be used for dipping into the soup or enjoyed on its own, adding a delightful crunch and additional flavor to the meal.
3. Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, can be a delicious side dish. Their smoky flavor and tender texture complement the soup well. Drizzle them with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill until they’re cooked to perfection.
4. Bruschetta: Bruschetta is a popular Italian appetizer that consists of grilled or toasted bread topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil. It can be a tasty addition to your meal, providing a burst of freshness and tanginess.
5. Antipasto Platter: Create an antipasto platter with a selection of cured meats, such as prosciutto or salami, along with marinated vegetables, olives, and cheeses. This assortment of flavors and textures can be a great complement to the soup and offer a variety of bites.
6. Roasted Chicken: If you’re looking for a heartier option, consider serving roasted chicken alongside the tortellini soup. The tender and juicy chicken can be enjoyed as a protein-rich component of the meal, balancing out the soup’s flavors.
7. Fruit Salad: A colorful and refreshing fruit salad can provide a refreshing contrast to the warm soup. Include a variety of seasonal fruits, such as berries, melons, citrus, and grapes, for a sweet and juicy accompaniment.

Do you have to cook the tortellini before adding it to the soup?

Yes, it is typically necessary to cook tortellini before adding it to the soup. Tortellini is a type of pasta that requires boiling in water until it reaches the desired tenderness. Once cooked, the tortellini can be added to the soup to finish cooking and absorb the flavors of the broth.
To cook tortellini for soup, follow the instructions on the package, which usually involve boiling them in salted water for a specific amount of time. Once they are cooked, drain the tortellini and then add them to the soup during the last few minutes of simmering. This allows the tortellini to heat through and become tender without becoming mushy.
Cooking the tortellini separately helps control their texture and prevents them from overcooking and becoming too soft in the soup. It also prevents the excess starch from the pasta from thickening the soup broth excessively.
Always check the specific instructions on the package of tortellini you are using.

More Crockpot Recipes

• Savor the Simplicity: Crockpot Soy Spareribs Recipe
• Crockpot Red Beans & Rice
• Takeout Favorite, Homemade Flavors: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein 

If y’all tried this sumptuous recipe for Crockpot Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup, holler and let us know how it turned out for you by giving us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and commenting below. You can also always feel free to tag us (@creamcheeseandlemonsqueeze) in your social media posts so we can cheer you on.

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XO,

Anna & Ashley

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