This delightful Chicken, Tortellini, and Spinach Soup with Pesto is the epitome of comfort food. It’s a wholesome blend of tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, fresh spinach, and the vibrant flavors of pesto. Perfect for a cozy night in.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of canola oil
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of unsalted chicken stock (like Swanson)
- 1 package (9 ounces) of whole-wheat cheese tortellini
- 1 package (5 ounces) of spinach
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup of diced, seeded tomato
- ¼ cup of refrigerated pesto (such as Buitoni)
Instructions:
- Begin by heating up a Dutch oven over high heat. Add the canola oil and give it a swirl. Toss in the diced chicken and let it cook for about 4 minutes, ensuring it browns evenly on all sides.
- Introduce the minced garlic to the chicken and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until it becomes wonderfully fragrant.
- Pour in the unsalted chicken stock and crank up the heat until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Add the whole-wheat cheese tortellini to the pot, then reduce the heat to medium. Allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 6 minutes or until the tortellini are delightfully tender.
- Incorporate the fresh spinach, letting it gracefully wilt into the soup. Season the pot with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste.
- Divvy up the soup into 6 bowls and give each one a generous garnish of diced, seeded tomato.
- Finish off this splendid dish by drizzling a dollop of refrigerated pesto (such as Buitoni) over each bowl.
Nutrition Facts (approximate per serving):
- Calories: 301
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.6g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
Please note that the nutritional values provided here are approximate and may vary depending on factors such as the brands of ingredients used and serving sizes.
Cooking Tips:
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken and add it to the soup just before the tortellini are done.
- This soup pairs wonderfully with a crusty baguette or a simple green salad. Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors!