--- title: Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe url: https://optimalrecipes.com/pesto-chicken-tortellini-easy-creamy-pasta-recipe/ author: Patricia Jannet published: 2025-03-10 updated: 2025-03-10 image: https://optimalrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Pesto-Chicken-Tortellini-and-Veggies.webp categories: ["Dinner Ideas"] site: Optimal Recipes --- # 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 poultry, cheesy 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... ![Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe](https://optimalrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Pesto-Chicken-Tortellini-and-Veggies.webp) ## Article 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 poultry**, **cheesy 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. ![](https://optimalrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Pesto-Chicken-Tortellini-and-Veggie.webp) Pesto Chicken Tortellini – optimalrecipes.com ## How to Make Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Step by Step ### Step1: Cook the Chicken - Then, heat two tablespoons olive oil in a large pan at medium-high temperature. - 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. - The chicken should be removed from the pot and place aside. ### Step2: Cook the Vegetables - In the same skillet, mix the sun-dried asparagus, tomatoes along with cherries.. - Sauté in about 3 – 4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly soft but still lively. ### Step3: Cook the Tortellini - Pour the chicken broth to the skillet, and cook to a boil. - Mix in your the cheese and tortellini tortellini and simmer for about 4-5 minutes until the cheese is soft. ### Step4: Combine & Finish - Return the chicken that has been cooked into the pan. - Add the pesto made of basil and stir it all together until it is evenly covered. - Add Parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly. ### Step5: Serve & Enjoy! - Remove from the heat and allow to it sit for at least one minute. - 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:** - ##### Shepherd’s Pie Recipe – Best Dinner for Family Meals - ##### Big Mac Casserole Recipe – Easy & Cheesy Dinner Idea ## 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: - #### Steak Pinwheels Recipe – Best Flank Steak Dinner Idea - #### Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes – Best Easy 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!**Loved it?** Share it on **Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook** and include us in the post! **Pin & Save for Later!** clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon ![](https://optimalrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Pesto-Chicken-Tortellini-and-Veggies.webp) ## Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe No reviews - Author: Patricia [Print Recipe](#) [Pin Recipe](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=%23) ### 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 1x2x3x ### 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 - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. - 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. - Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. ### Step2: Cook the Vegetables - In the same skillet, add the sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes. - Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still vibrant. ### Step3: Cook the Tortellini - Add chicken broth to the skillet and bring to a simmer. - Stir in the cheese tortellini and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender. ### Step4: Combine & Finish - Return the cooked chicken to the pan. - Add the basil pesto and stir everything together until evenly coated. - Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mix well. ### Step5: Serve & Enjoy! - Remove from heat and let sit for a minute. - 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! ### Did you make this recipe? Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made! window.trCommon={"minRating":6,"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/optimalrecipes.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","ratingNonce":"","postId":0}; --- **Source**: [Pesto Chicken Tortellini – Easy & Creamy Pasta Recipe](https://optimalrecipes.com/pesto-chicken-tortellini-easy-creamy-pasta-recipe/) **Site**: Optimal Recipes - https://optimalrecipes.com/ **Author**: Patricia Jannet *If you cite this recipe, please link to: https://optimalrecipes.com/pesto-chicken-tortellini-easy-creamy-pasta-recipe/*