Pesto Chicken Tortellini
Creamy Pesto Chicken Tortellini is a one-skillet, 30-minute meal featuring tender chicken, cheese tortellini, and a rich, garlicky pesto sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Servings: 4
Calories: 955kcal
Equipment
- 12-inch skillet
- Whisk
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast tenderloins
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup pesto
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 pound cheese tortellini
- freshly chopped basil optional to serve
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Pat the chicken dry, then season with salt and pepper. Sear it for about 5 minutes per side until golden; then set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound chicken breast tenderloins, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the cheese tortellini pasta as the package directs, then drain.1 pound cheese tortellini
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds. Stir in 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in 1½ cups milk and cook for 3 minutes until thickened. Then add 2 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, ¼ cup pesto, ½ cup parmesan cheese; stir until smooth and creamy.2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 3 garlic cloves, 1 ½ cups milk, 2 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, ¼ cup pesto, ½ cup parmesan cheese
- Combine and Serve: Pour the chicken and pasta into the sauce skillet and fold gently to combine. Top with freshly chopped basil, and enjoy!freshly chopped basil
Notes
Top Tips:
- Use High-Quality Pesto – The flavor of your dish depends heavily on the quality of the pesto. Opt for a fresh, homemade pesto or a premium store-bought version.
- Don’t Overcook the Tortellini – Cook the tortellini just until al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft when mixed with the sauce.
- Balance the Sauce Thickness – If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency to your preference.
Nutrition
Calories: 955kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 220mg | Sodium: 1746mg | Potassium: 680mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1651IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 548mg | Iron: 4mg
