Southwestern Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe – ready in under 30 minutes and tastes great! Chicken broth, salsa, carrots, corn, onion, diced green chiles, taco seasoning, frozen cheese tortellini and evaporated milk. Serve it alongside crusty bread, a refreshing salad, or a dollop of sour cream for the perfect balance of comfort and southwestern flair.
Plain Chicken participates in affiliate advertising programs. We may earn a commission when you make purchases through links on our site.
Remember this recipe.
Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!
Pin This RecipeEasy Chicken Soup Recipe
This Southwestern Chicken Tortellini Soup is a fiesta of flavors in a bowl! Tender chunks of chicken swimming in a rich, creamy broth infused with the bold flavors of salsa, green chiles, and taco seasoning. But the real star of the show is the plump cheese tortellini that adds a delightful cheesy surprise in every bite. It’s a soup that strikes the perfect balance between creamy, spicy, and savory. You won’t be able to resist going back for more. This is the ultimate comfort food with a spicy twist, and it’s sure to become a family favorite!
How to Make Southwestern Chicken Tortellini Soup
This chicken soup is effortless to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a Dutch oven, combine chicken broth, salsa, and chopped carrots. Bring to a boil on the stove top over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking until the carrots are tender. Stir in shredded chicken, frozen corn kernels, onion flakes, diced green chiles, and frozen cheese tortellini. Cook the pot and simmer. Stir in evaporated milk and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Garnish with cilantro or fresh parsley.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- You can use any cooked chicken that you prefer. Rotisserie chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or canned chicken all work great.
- I suggest using unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth.
- I use refrigerated cheese tortellini.
- You can substitute frozen tortellini noodles.
- Add your favorite vegetables to the pot:
- onions
- celery
- bell peppers
- fresh baby spinach leaves
- diced tomatoes
- Can substitute heavy cream for evaporated milk.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
- Our favorite salsa is Maeto’s salsa. I buy it at Walmart, Publix, Target, and Costco.
- Here is our recipe for Restaurant Style Salsa: https://www.plainchicken.com/superior-grill-salsa/
- Can I make Chicken Tortellini Soup in the crockpot? Yes! Place 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts in the crock pot. Add chicken broth, salsa, carrots, corn, diced green chiles, taco seasoning, and dried minced onion flakes. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Add chicken back to the pot. Stir in evaporated milk and tortellini pasta. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- You may need to add more chicken broth when reheating. The pasta will absorb some liquid as it sits in the refrigerator.
What to Serve with Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
This soup has been on repeat at our house. It is so easy to make and is packed full of delicious flavors. When it comes to what to serve with this soup, I’ve got some great ideas for you. Start by offering some warm, crusty bread or cornbread to soak up that luscious broth, adding a comforting element to your meal. A side salad bursting with a zesty vinaigrette, provides a refreshing contrast to the soup’s richness. And if you’re looking to take it up a notch, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro on top of the soup adds a cool and herby touch that enhances the Southwestern flair. No matter what you serve alongside this soup, it is sure to become a family favorite.
Looking for more soup recipes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:
Chicken Pesto Tortellini Soup
Chicken Pesto Tortellini Soup Recipe – a taste of pure comfort in every spoonful! This easy-to-make soup is loaded with…
Slow Cooker Tomato Tortellini Soup
Slow Cooker Tomato Tortellini Soup Recipe – effortless to make and tastes AMAZING! Chicken broth, tomato soup, diced tomatoes, Italian…
Low-Carb Crack Chicken Soup
Low-Carb Crack Chicken Soup Recipe– chicken soup loaded with cheddar, bacon, and ranch. Super easy to make – just dump…
Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili – this stuff is AMAZING! We’ve made it 3 times this month! We…
Southwestern Chicken Tortellini Soup
Ingredients:
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups salsa
- ½ cups carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels
- 1 (4-oz) can diced green chiles
- 1½ Tbsp taco seasoning
- 2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- 1 (19-oz) package frozen cheese tortellini
- 1 (5-oz) can evaporated milk
Instructions:
- In a Dutch oven, combine broth, salsa and carrots. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Slowly boil for 5 minutes, until carrots are tender.
- Stir in chicken, frozen corn, diced green chilies, taco seasoning, onion flakes and frozen cheese tortellini.
- Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in evaporated milk and cook and additional 5 minutes.
Notes:
- You can use any cooked chicken that you prefer. Rotisserie chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or canned chicken all work great.
- I suggest using unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth.
- I use refrigerated cheese tortellini.
- Can substitute frozen tortellini noodles.
- Add your favorite vegetables to the pot:
- onions
- celery
- bell peppers
- fresh baby spinach leaves
- diced tomatoes
- Can substitute heavy cream for evaporated milk.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
- Our favorite salsa is Maeto’s salsa. I buy it at Walmart, Publix, Target, and Costco.
- Here is our recipe for Restaurant Style Salsa: https://www.plainchicken.com/superior-grill-salsa/
- Can I make Chicken Tortellini Soup in the crockpot? Yes! Place 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts in the crock pot. Add chicken broth, salsa, carrots, corn, diced green chiles, taco seasoning, and dried minced onion flakes. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Add chicken back to the pot. Stir in evaporated milk and tortellini pasta. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- You may need to add more chicken broth when reheating. The pasta will absorb some liquid as it sits in the refrigerator.
Steph
Remember this recipe.
Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!
Pin This Recipe
so quick question what size whole chicken to boil to make my own broth would you use?
Here is the link to our homemade chicken broth recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Broth
I have been saving your recipes since 2019 and I must say that they have made my days. I am 82, semi handicapped and can still cook. Cooking has always been something I’ve done well. Your recipes have given me a lift as they are new and fresh and wonderful. Likewise, you are a Southern girl and Southern girls know good recipes.
Keep up the good work!!!
Cooking it right now almost done hope it comes out yummy!��
Could you omit the chicken and leave the other ingredients the same? I'm not vegetarian, but looking for a few meatless options.
AmandaB – sure. Enjoy!