Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

This slow cooker chicken tortellini soup is a warm and satisfying meal that requires very little hands-on time. It features tender shredded chicken, soft cheese-filled tortellini, and a classic mix of vegetables in a savory, creamy broth. It’s the kind of soup that feels special without any complicated steps.

Just add most of the ingredients to your slow cooker in the morning and let it do the work. A few minutes of prep at the end brings it all together. This recipe is wonderful for busy days when you want a homemade dinner waiting for you.

Why will you love Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup?

Slow cooking the chicken makes it exceptionally tender and easy to shred.

Adding the tortellini near the end of cooking ensures the pasta keeps a pleasant texture and doesn’t become too soft.

Stirring in the cream after the main cooking is done gives the soup a rich finish without any risk of it separating.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup Ingredients

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well, but thighs will provide a richer flavor and stay very moist.

• Tortellini: Refrigerated tortellini cooks quickly and has a fresh taste. If you use frozen tortellini, you may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.

• Heavy Cream: This gives the soup its creamy texture. For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half, but the soup will be less rich.

• Chicken Broth: Using a low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish more easily.

• Vegetables: The classic trio of onion, carrots, and celery forms a flavorful base. Feel free to stir in a handful of fresh spinach at the end until it wilts.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

Step 1: Load the Slow Cooker

Begin by placing your chicken, chopped vegetables, and seasonings into the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth and water over everything and give it a quick stir. This simple prep takes just a few minutes.

Step 2: Cook and Shred the Chicken

Cover the slow cooker and let it cook for several hours. Once the chicken is very tender and cooked through, remove it to a cutting board. Use two forks to easily shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Finish the Soup

Add the tortellini to the hot broth in the slow cooker and cook until the pasta is tender. To finish, stir the shredded chicken back into the pot along with the heavy cream. Let it all warm through, taste for seasoning, and your soup is ready to serve.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

This soup is a complete meal on its own, but a side of crusty bread for dipping is always a great addition.

Helpful Tricks for Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

Food Safety: Always cook poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

Tortellini cooking times can vary by brand and slow cooker model. Check for doneness after 10 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative to breasts. They have a rich flavor and become very tender in the slow cooker.

For a lighter soup, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half.

How to Store and Freeze Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The tortellini will soften upon storage. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warm. Freezing is not recommended as the pasta texture will change.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?

Yes, you can use frozen tortellini. You may need to add about 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time at the end. Just cook until the pasta is tender.

Can I make this soup on the stovetop?

Yes. Sauté the vegetables in a large pot, then add the broth, water, and chicken. Simmer until the chicken is cooked, about 20-30 minutes. Remove and shred the chicken, then cook the tortellini in the pot. Return the chicken to the pot and stir in the cream.

Can I add other vegetables to this soup?

Certainly. A few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale are a wonderful addition. Stir them in at the very end with the cream and let them wilt for a minute or two before serving.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

Tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and vegetables simmer in a creamy broth in your slow cooker.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, 680 g
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 2 cups diced carrots 240 g
• 1 cup diced celery 120 g
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 4 cups chicken broth 950 ml
• 1 cup water 240 ml
• 1 package refrigerated cheese tortellini 9-ounce / 255 g
• ¼ cup heavy cream 60 ml
• Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish, optional

Instructions

 

• Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Pour the chicken broth and water over the ingredients. Stir gently to combine everything.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
• Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Confirm it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.
• Shred the chicken using two forks, then set it aside.
• Add the refrigerated tortellini to the slow cooker. Turn the heat to HIGH (if it isn't already), cover, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
• Stir the shredded chicken and the heavy cream into the soup. Let it heat through for a minute or two.
• Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if you like. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Food Safety: Always cook poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

Tortellini cooking times can vary by brand and slow cooker model. Check for doneness after 10 minutes to avoid overcooking.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative to breasts. They have a rich flavor and become very tender in the slow cooker.

For a lighter soup, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half.

Keyword Chicken, Pasta, slow cooker, slow cooker chicken tortellini soup, soup