The Internet Calls This Famous Recipe 'The Soup'—I Call it My New Favorite Weeknight Meal
"The Soup"
If you're a fan of hearty soups, then you're probably constantly on the hunt to discover your new favorite. From bread bowl soups to chicken tortilla soup, there's not one option that you'll shy away from to find the perfect bowl for you. And for those who know anything about the viral recipe for "The Soup," you've probably already found it.
The chicken tortellini slow cooker soup went viral on social media a few years ago, and it seems to resurface every soup season as people bring it back into the rotation. Fans call the soup "extremely delicious" and are excited to share their soup enthusiasm with other home cooks.
Over the years, Redditors have chimed in with their own versions of "The Soup," with some adding bacon and mushrooms and others subbing out the chicken for Italian sausage. And while all of those sounded delicious, I knew I needed to make the original version before making any adjustments. So, I grabbed all the ingredients needed, pulled out my slow cooker and got to work.
Get the recipe: "The Soup"
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
Ingredients For 'The Soup'
For this recipe, you’ll need a yellow onion, flour, dried basil, garlic, tomato paste, olive oil, chicken broth, petite diced tomatoes, fresh or frozen cheese tortellini, spinach, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (or half and half), boneless, skinless chicken thighs and salt and pepper.
How to Make 'The Soup'
In a microwave-safe bowl, stir the onions, flour, basil, garlic, tomato paste and a little bit of olive oil. Heat it in the microwave, stirring the mixture every 90 seconds, for about 5 minutes total. Transfer the onion mixture to a slow cooker.
Add the broth, tomatoes, chicken, and salt and pepper to the slow cooker and give it all a good stir. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours (I chose the latter). You'll know it's ready when the chicken is super tender.
Related: Luther Vandross' Italian Chicken Soup Is Fresh, Light and Soul-Satisfying
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
When the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred the meat with a fork or cut it into bite-size pieces. Add the tortellini, spinach, Parmesan cheese and warm cream into the slow cooker. (It's important to warm the cream so it doesn't curdle when it's added to the hot soup in the slow cooker.)
Add the chicken back to the slow cooker, then cover and cook on high until the pasta is fully cooked, which should take about 10 minutes. Use a ladle to scoop it into bowls and dig in!
What I Thought of 'The Soup'
After trying "The Soup," I can say it was an absolute delight. It's a perfect choice for a weekday dinner with the family—since you get a decent amount of servings out of this one recipe—and is super convenient. I found it to be a hassle-free dish and it's one that you can start preparing before heading to work, which means that dinner is well on its way when you walk in the door.
Related: Vegetarian Lasagna Soup with Basil Parmesan Crumble
As for taste, the flavors melded seamlessly, resulting in a tasty and creamy soup and the chicken was exceptionally tender. If I were to offer a suggestion to elevate the soup even more, I'd recommend adding a touch of cayenne pepper to introduce a subtle spice. Overall though, it's a delightful and easy-to-make soup that brings a burst of flavors to the table.
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
Tips for Making 'The Soup'
Throw in a few herbs and spices. While I added in cayenne pepper to give it a little heat, you can add in whatever suits your fancy to amp up the flavor profile.
