Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe

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By Maria

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Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe

Are you looking for an easy, delicious easy, one-pan meal? Then this Pesto Chicken Tortellini and Veggies recipe is a great choice for busy evenings! It’s a perfect blend of succulent poultrycheesy tortellini and fresh vegetables that are all coated with the thick pesto sauce with basil. With only a few ingredients and a little cleanup and cleanup, you can be able to have a delicious meal at the table in only thirty minutes.

This recipe is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s bursting with vibrant flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and basil. When you’re meal-prepping for the week or cooking an easy dinner this dish in a pan will surely be a favorite with the family!

Why You’ll Love This Pesto Chicken Tortellini Recipe

One-Pan Wonder – Less dishes equals less cleanup! 30-Minute meal – quick and simple to make for busy nights.Packed with protein and vegetables Healthy, balanced meal.Rich and creamy – Basil pesto as well as sun-dried tomatoes give it an exquisite touch.Easily adaptable to your needs – Switch ingredients to meet your dietary requirements.

Ingredients for Pesto Chicken Tortellini

Here’s everything you’ll need create this tasty, single-pan spaghetti dish:

Main Ingredients:

  • 1lb (450g) skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into slices
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust according to your preference)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 TSP Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup of sun dried tomatoes chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 bunch of asparagus to be cut and trimmed into pieces of 2 inches
  • 1 (9 oz) package of cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
  • 1 cup pesto made of basil (store-bought or made)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)

Optional Add-ins & Swaps:

  • To make it lighter use the grilled chicken breast instead thighs.
  • To make a vegetarian version substitute chicken for chickpeas or mushrooms.
  • To make a gluten-free version use gluten-free tortellini as well as zucchini noodles.
Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe
Pesto Chicken Tortellini – optimalrecipes.com

How to Make Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Step by Step

Step1: Cook the Chicken

  1. Then, heat two tablespoons olive oil in a large pan at medium-high temperature.
  2. In the cut-up chicken pieces add the chicken, sprinkle with salt garlic powder, pepper along with Italian seasoning to cook 5 to 6 minutes to golden-brown and completely cooked.
  3. The chicken should be removed from the pot and place aside.

Step2: Cook the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, mix the sun-dried asparagus, tomatoes along with cherries..
  2. Sauté in about 3 – 4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly soft but still lively.

Step3: Cook the Tortellini

  1. Pour the chicken broth to the skillet, and cook to a boil.
  2. Mix in your the cheese and tortellini tortellini and simmer for about 4-5 minutes until the cheese is soft.

Step4: Combine & Finish

  1. Return the chicken that has been cooked into the pan.
  2. Add the pesto made of basil and stir it all together until it is evenly covered.
  3. Add Parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly.

Step5: Serve & Enjoy!

  1. Remove from the heat and allow to it sit for at least one minute.
  2. Serve warm, sprinkled by fresh basil leaves or Parmesan cheese.

Pro Tips for Making the Best Pesto Chicken Tortellini

Fresh tortellini cooks faster and has more textured consistency than dry tortellini.Sear the chicken thoroughly and a golden crust gives additional flavor.Don’t overcook the vegetables and keep them crisp to maintain a great texture.Add pesto that is not on the stove to prevent it from turning bitter.Customize using your favorite vegetables like spinach, mushrooms or bell peppers are great choices!

Best Ways to Serve Pesto Chicken Tortellini

Alongside a Salad Serve with simple green salad or an Caprese salad.With Garlic Bread or baguette with a crusty texture.

Try These Related Recipes:

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: ~450 kcalProtein: 32gCarbs: 45gFat: 18g

Values are approximate and can vary depending on the ingredients employed.)

Storage & Leftovers

Refrigeration: Place the leftovers inside an airtight container at least 3 days.Freezing is not recommended since dairy-based sauces can separate.Reheating the sauce: Warm it in a skillet on medium-low heat and add some broth if you require.

FAQs

Do I have to freeze the pesto-chicken tortellini?
It’s best eaten fresh as freezing can alter how the tortellini is made. tortellini as well as pesto sauce.

Which other ingredients can I make as a substitute for chicken?
You can substitute shrimps, tofu or even mushrooms for a vegetarian-friendly alternative.

Can I prepare these ahead?
Yes!
 Cook everything, except for the tortellini. Once ready cook, heat it up with fresh tortellini.

What is the best pesto to use in this dish?
Homemade basil pesto is ideal, however the high-quality pesto that you can buy from a store is good as well.

Related Recipes

If you like this simple recipe Check out the following recipe:

Conclusion

You now know how to cook the perfect pesto chicken recipe in a single pan tortellini as well as vegetables from scratch! This simple, quick recipe is loaded with strong Mediterranean flavor and is the perfect evening meal for a busy week..

Have you tried the recipe? Leave a comment below and tell us about your experience!
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Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe

Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe


Description

Looking for a quick, flavorful, and easy one-pan dinner? This Pesto Chicken Tortellini and Veggies recipe is perfect for busy weeknights! It combines juicy chicken, cheesy tortellini, and fresh veggies, all coated in a rich basil pesto sauce. With minimal prep and cleanup, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in just 30 minutes.

This recipe is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s bursting with vibrant flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and basil. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or making a comforting dinner, this one-pan dish is sure to become a family favorite!


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 (9 oz) package of cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
  • ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup chicken broth (or water)

Optional Add-ins & Swaps:

  • For a lighter version – Use grilled chicken breast instead of thighs.
  • For a vegetarian version – Swap chicken for mushrooms or chickpeas.
  • For a gluten-free version – Use gluten-free tortellini or zucchini noodles.

Instructions

Step1: Cook the Chicken

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the sliced chicken, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, and cook for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked.
  3. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step2: Cook the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, add the sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes.
  2. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still vibrant.

Step3: Cook the Tortellini

  1. Add chicken broth to the skillet and bring to a simmer.
  2. Stir in the cheese tortellini and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender.

Step4: Combine & Finish

  1. Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
  2. Add the basil pesto and stir everything together until evenly coated.
  3. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mix well.

Step5: Serve & Enjoy!

  1. Remove from heat and let sit for a minute.
  2. Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil or extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Use fresh tortellini – It cooks faster and has a better texture than dried tortellini.
Sear the chicken well – A golden crust adds more flavor.
Don’t overcook the veggies – Keep them crisp for better texture.
Add pesto off the heat – This prevents it from becoming bitter.
Customize with your favorite veggies – Mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers work great!

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