This Italian Chicken Tortellini is an easy meal made in just one pot! It’s loaded with cheese tortellini, roasted red peppers, spinach, tomatoes, herbs, and cheese!
Table of Contents
Tortellini is a favorite here! Whether it’s simmered in Spinach Tortellini Soup with Prosciutto, used in a casserole like in Baked Tortellini with Turkey and Vegetables, or tossed with a sauce like in Creamy Cheese Tortellini.
Well, this Italian Chicken Tortellini is just another way to prove that tortellini is just that good.
It’s made with cheese tortellini, pan-seared bites of chicken, and veggies simmered in a creamy sauce and topped with mozzarella and parmesan.
Bonus: it’s made in one pot and takes just 25 minutes to whip up!
Ingredients Needed:
- Oil: you can use canola or olive oil to brown the chicken.
- Chicken Breasts: you’ll need 1 pound of boneless and skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2″ pieces for quick cooking.
- Minced Garlic: use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Seasonings: a simple blend of dried basil, dried oregano, salt, dried thyme, and red chili flakes gives this chicken tortellini those classic Italian flavors.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: don’t drain the liquid! It’s incorporated into the sauce.
- Spinach: use fresh, chopped spinach.
- Roasted Red Peppers: you can usually find jarred roasted red peppers in the condiments aisle near the pickles.
- Cream: milk will work as well, it just won’t be quite as rich and creamy.
- Chicken Broth: creates a delicious flavor base for the creamy sauce.
- Cornstarch: helps thicken the sauce. Remember, a little goes a long way!
- Tortellini: I use frozen cheese tortellini to keep this super convenient, but fresh works just as well.
- Cheese: a combination of mozzarella and parmesan gives the Italian Chicken Tortellini an extra cheesy finish.
How to Make Italian Chicken Tortellini
- Brown and season the chicken: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, then mix in garlic, basil, oregano, salt, thyme, and chili flakes.
- Make the sauce: To the skillet, add tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and cream. In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch and broth, then mix that into the pan.
- Add the pasta: Add the tortellini, cover, and simmer until tender.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the spinach and cheese, allow the spinach to wilt, then serve and enjoy!
FAQs and Tips
Tortellini is a small, ring-shaped pasta that’s stuffed with various fillings like cheese, meat, or both. It can be served as a classic pasta, baked into casseroles, or used in soup.
You can use either! If you choose to use fresh tortellini and you find the sauce is too thick, simply thin it with a bit of cream, milk or broth.
Feel free to use ravioli instead!
Leftover Italian Chicken Tortellini will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of broth to moisten. Keep in mind that the tortellini will soak up the liquid in the sauce as it sits, so the pasta will soften up a bit. The leftovers will still be delicious though!
Variations
- Use fresh tortellini. You can swap the frozen tortellini out for fresh, but it won’t release as much moisture and you may want to thin the sauce before serving.
- Add more veggies. Boost the nutrition and mix in whatever veggies you like! You can simmer them in the soup or sauté them with the chicken. Try mushrooms, onions, broccoli, green beans, carrots, you name it.
- Spice it up. The cream sauce already has a kick of heat from the red chili flakes, but feel free to spice it up even more with more chili flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Use another meat. Feel free to swap the chicken out for ground turkey, ground beef, or Italian sausage.
- Make it vegetarian. You can easily make this into a meatless pasta dinner by leaving out the meat or using a meatless variety of chicken or even ground beef.
Serving Suggestions
This Italian Chicken Tortellini makes a great meal all on its own, but feel free to serve it next to a simple side dish. Try Roasted Vegetables, Garlic Bread, Breadsticks, or Roasted Green Beans!
More Chicken Pasta Recipes to Try
Italian Chicken Tortellini Skillet + RECIPE VIDEO
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2) cut into ½" pieces
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes (more if you like the heat)
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes (with liquid) 398 ml
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
- ½ cup roasted red peppers (store bought) chopped
- ½ cup cream (any kind – or milk)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 3 cups frozen cheese tortellini (350 grams)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, stirring as needed, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic, basil, oregano, salt, thyme, and chili flakes and and cook 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and cream. Whisk together the corn starch and broth and stir into the pan as well.
- Add the tortellini and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook until tender (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in spinach and cheeses and serve.
Notes
- Use fresh tortellini. You can swap the frozen tortellini out for fresh, but it won’t release as much moisture and you may want to thin the sauce before serving.
- Add more veggies. Boost the nutrition and mix in whatever veggies you like! You can simmer them in the soup or sauté them with the chicken. Try mushrooms, onions, broccoli, green beans, carrots, you name it.
- Spice it up. The cream sauce already has a kick of heat from the red chili flakes, but feel free to spice it up even more with more chili flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Use another meat. Feel free to swap the chicken out for ground turkey, ground beef, or Italian sausage.
- Make it vegetarian. You can easily make this into a meatless pasta dinner by leaving out the meat or using a meatless variety of chicken or even ground beef.
Nutrition Information
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Nick says
Just made this tonight, doubled the spinach, left out the red peppers and used 1/4cup of choped dried red chili’s for extra heat. Absolutely amazing! Definitely going into the normal rotation!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Nick! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for the review!
Vera says
LOVE this recipe..but need to lower sodium and potassium…. Any ideas? ( I’d sure hate to NOT be able to enjoy….
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Vera! Since I’m not a registered dietitian, I can’t offer dietary or medical advice. I would ask your dietitian or doctor about how to reduce sodium or potassium. But I will say when it comes to added ingredients such as diced tomatoes or chicken broth, that you can buy those labeled no sodium/low sodium. ENJOY!
carolyn says
Dang, Ashley! This is really good. All of the ingredients marry together perfectly. It’s a keeper!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Carolyn! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Dawn says
Everyone loved this recipe. It was delicious! What I also enjoyed was the one pan cleanup!!! Thank you
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Dawn! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Rhonda says
This is without a doubt a dish I would be proud to serve to company!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Rhonda! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Awesome recipe says
Love it. No need to change anything in the recipe. Delicious!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
Dana says
I made this tonight, exactly as written, and oh was it ever good! So glad I have enough leftover for my lunch again tomorrow.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Dana! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Natalee says
Do I need to boil the tortellini before putting it in with the mixture or will it cook in the mix of it all. Thanks! Making it today 🙂
Natalee says
Nevermind…I see it now. Cover and simmer til tender. Thank you!
Irene says
I’ve made this a couple of times now, and my family really liked it. The best chicken tortellini we’ve had so far. Thank you for this delicious recipe. 🙂
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Irene! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Natalee, no need to boil it first. Hope you enjoy it!
Kelly says
This recipe is AMAZING! My family and I had this tonight and we all were obsessed. 100% recommend:)
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kelly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Kaitlyn says
Made this recipe last night, so good! Perfect for a busy college student like me!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kaitlyn! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Jeni says
Oh my delish!!!! This is my family’s new favorite meal! It is so easy and comes together in one pot which makes for easy clean-up as well! The flavor is incredible! I served it with garlic cheese bread and a Caesar salad. Definitely will be adding this to my monthly menu! Thank you!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Jeni! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Elizabeth Stanton says
Amazing! Subbed chicken Italian sausage for the chicken breast. Used fresh tortellini and added 1-4 cup water at the end. Came out perfect
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear! Thanks Elizabeth!
Rick says
Wow! That was great. I added chopped fresh mushroom and more spinach. Was on point!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Rick! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Sharon says
Very good!!! I added a 1/2cup of extra cream and some cayenne for an extra kick…fabulous!!!! 😋
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sharon! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Sally says
I asked my kids what they wanted for dinner tonight. My son wanted chicken and my daughter wanted tortellini. I searched for a recipe that included both and was led here. Dinner was amazing; everyone was happy.
Sarah says
My husband is a picky eater so it’s hard for me to find recipes that I think he will like. I made this for dinner last night and he absolutely loved it! Definitely will be making again!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I’m so glad!
jimAND ROSE nashwinter says
this looks great?Going to get wife to make it??She wont let me in her kitchen??She says too messy???Love tortelinie?Bad spelling on it but tastes great??JIM SR
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Jim! I hope you enjoy it!
Val says
This is delicious!! How big is a serving?
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks! The serving size is 361 grams as listed in the nutrition information
Cindy says
Can you omit the chicken and still have the same results?
Ashley Fehr says
Well it won’t be the same but it will still be delicious. You may find it extra saucy.
Diana says
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Just one question: for the roasted red peppers, does that mean use the ones in a jar or does that mean taking a red bell pepper and sautéing it? Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
I just use the jar!