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creamy pesto chicken tortellini - featured image

Creamy Pesto Chicken Tortellini: One Pan Meal Prep

  • Author: Nadia
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A rich, savory, and creamy one-pan weeknight dinner featuring seared chicken cubes, cheese-filled tortellini, and a basil pesto cream sauce. This meal is high in protein, easy to clean up, and perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
  • 1 package (20 oz / 567g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup (120g) basil pesto (jarred or fresh)
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup (50g) grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and cut into 1-inch cubes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Sear chicken cubes in a single layer for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add Italian seasoning and stir for 30 seconds.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine with the pan drippings. Simmer gently for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
  5. Stir in pesto until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  6. Add tortellini to the sauce. Stir to coat. Cook fresh tortellini for 3-4 minutes or frozen for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or extra cream.
  7. Return cooked chicken and any juices to the pan. Stir in grated parmesan cheese and cook for 1 more minute until melted and heated through.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the chicken; remove it from the pan before cooking the pasta to keep it juicy. If the sauce separates, reduce heat to medium-low and stir constantly. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy-based sauce. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; add a splash of milk or water when reheating to loosen the sauce.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate with chicken
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 4
  • Sodium: 800
  • Fat: 28
  • Saturated Fat: 12
  • Carbohydrates: 60
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 35

Keywords: creamy pesto chicken tortellini, one pan meal, weeknight dinner, meal prep, high protein pasta, easy chicken recipe, pesto sauce

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Find it online: https://yescook.online/creamy-pesto-chicken-tortellini-one-pan-meal-prep/