Chicken Pesto Tortellini Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty chicken, tortellini, and fresh herbs come together in a flavorful, filling soup ideal for cozy dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Protein

03 - 450 g chicken breast, cut into 2.5 cm cubes

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large onion, diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, diced
06 - 3 celery stalks, diced
07 - 1 small fennel bulb, diced

→ Seasoning

08 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Aromatics & Herbs

10 - 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped

→ Broth & Pasta

13 - 1.5 litres low-sodium chicken stock
14 - 450 g cheese tortellini, uncooked

→ Finish & Garnish

15 - 125 g pesto
16 - 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
17 - 8 fresh basil leaves

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chicken, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add diced onion, carrots, celery, and fennel. Season with salt and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables become soft.
03 - Stir in chopped garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the cooked chicken and uncooked tortellini, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until tortellini are al dente.
05 - Turn off the heat and stir in pesto, grated Parmesan, and basil leaves. Adjust seasoning with black pepper as needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and basil, if desired.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For enhanced flavor, ensure the chicken is deeply golden before removing from the pot.
02 - Use refrigerated or fresh tortellini for best texture; avoid overcooking to maintain desired bite.