It’s a wonderful time to make a big pot of this hearty and healthy main course soup! I adore soup meals because they are so satisfying. Each bowl of goodness has 300 calories, 4 grams of fat. This makes a large pot and happily, leftovers freeze great!
Ingredients
- 1 cup onions, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, I like Swanson’s
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can white beans rinsed and drained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 (9-10 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini, I used Trader Joe’s, see shopping tips
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced, see shopping tips
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, packed
- 1 cup reduced-fat milk
- Grated parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
- To Make on Stove-Top: Add onions to a small microwave-safe bowl. Cook for 1 minute, to soften.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil. Add garlic, softened onions, and sauté for a minute or so. Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, beans, Italian seasoning, and a little salt and pepper, to taste. Bring it to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, cook tortellini separately. Follow package directions. Drain and set aside.
- To the pot of soup add cooked chicken, cooked tortellini, spinach, and milk. Let simmer for 5 minutes until heated completely. When ready to serve, sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- To Make in Crock-Pot: Add all ingredients except the chicken, tortellini, spinach, and milk, into a crock-pot and let it cook on low heat for 3 ½ hours. Next, mix into soup the cooked chicken, spinach, and milk. Cook for another 30 minutes until heated through. In the meantime, cook tortellini separately. Once the soup is ready, stir in cooked tortellini. When ready to serve, sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Makes 8 servings. Each serving 1½ cups.
Healthy Benefits
Cooked tomatoes contain lycopene. This carotenoid is found in tomatoes (and everything made from them) has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. Spinach provides an excellent source of both Shopping Tips
I used Trader Joe’s Cheese Tortellini. It’s fresh pasta and is found in the refrigerated section. Most supermarkets carry a few brands of fresh cheese tortellini such as Buitoni. I love the packages of grilled chicken breast strips at Trader Joe’s. Whenever a recipe calls for cooked chicken, I like to use it. Or use a store-bought chicken or a package of cooked chicken such as Tyson. WW Freestyle SmartPoints 4-Blue
WW SmartPoints 4-Green
Cooked tomatoes contain lycopene. This carotenoid is found in tomatoes (and everything made from them) has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. Spinach provides an excellent source of both Shopping Tips
I used Trader Joe’s Cheese Tortellini. It’s fresh pasta and is found in the refrigerated section. Most supermarkets carry a few brands of fresh cheese tortellini such as Buitoni. I love the packages of grilled chicken breast strips at Trader Joe’s. Whenever a recipe calls for cooked chicken, I like to use it. Or use a store-bought chicken or a package of cooked chicken such as Tyson. WW Freestyle SmartPoints 4-Blue
WW SmartPoints 4-Green
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1½ cup serving 300 calories, 4g fat, 2g sat. fat, 35mg chol, 10g protein, 40g carbs, 10g fiber, 672mg sod, 8g sugar |
| FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints 122 calories, 1g sat. fat, 2g sugar, 5g protein |
Skinny Facts
Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 10gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 672mgFiber: 10gSugar: 8gBlue Smart Points: 4Green Smart Points: 4
This soup is so delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kathy. Thank you!
All the best,
Nancy
Can I use unsweetened almond milk in place of reduced fat milk?
I’m not sure Nayda since I’ve never tried almond milk in this recipe. It would probably work. I use unsweetened almond milk to replace milk in baking, coffee blended drinks and such but haven’t tried it in things like soup. I usually use Lactose-free milk to replace milk.
Best of luck to you,
Nancy
I made this for dinner tonight and we are not fans of spinach so I didn’t add that but. It was so good!! Loved it! I will definitely make it again! The broth is rich and I cooked one and a half chicken breast which was plenty and chopped it really small. yum yum !
Love your feedback, Melanie. Thanks so much for sharing!
All the best,
Nancy
I shredded close to 2lb skinless boneless chicken thighs and also didn’t drain the tomatoes resulting in a sweet red broth that my family loved! This will be a recipe for future dinners.
That’s wonderful Theresa. Thanks so much!
Wishing you all the best,
Nancy
I usually make this once a month and have it for three(?) days in the instant! It’s my fav online recipe ever. I have it less skinny but not making it terrible for you either!
I end up using regular ground sausage and no milk and rarely parm. I don’t put the beans, or I forget. It is so easy to throw it together, and the majority of the things are in a kitchen. Delicious!
I’m loving your review, Meg! Thanks so much! As you can see, this recipe is simple to make and very flexible.
All the best to you!
Nancy