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+ servings

California Summer Pesto Tortellini Skillet

A quick one-pot meal with tender chicken, cheese tortellini, and sun-dried tomatoes in a vibrant basil pesto sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Pasta, Quick Meals
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk for marinade, optional
  • 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Skillet
  • 1 package (20 oz) refrigerated three-cheese tortellini such as Buitoni
  • 3 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomato jar or olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 sprig fresh basil plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
  • 1 container (7 oz) basil pesto store-bought or homemade
  • grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional
  • red pepper flakes for serving, optional

Method
 

Cook the Tortellini
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken
  1. If marinating, place chicken pieces in a bowl with buttermilk, cover, and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours. Drain before using. If not marinating, pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken pieces with the seasoning mixture, then sprinkle with flour and stir until evenly coated.
Cook the Chicken and Aromatics
  1. In the same pot used for the tortellini (make sure it's nonstick), heat 3 tablespoons of the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar over medium heat. Add the basil sprig and garlic, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Increase heat to medium-high and add the seasoned chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. If needed, add a little more sun-dried tomato oil to prevent sticking.
  3. When the chicken is nearly done, remove the basil sprig. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute until heated through.
Combine and Finish
  1. Return the drained tortellini to the pot with the chicken. Reduce heat to low and gently stir for 1 to 2 minutes to warm through.
  2. Remove from heat. Stir in the basil pesto and 1 to 2 tablespoons of additional sun-dried tomato oil if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes.
Serve
  1. Divide among plates and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 35gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 980mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g

Notes

For a richer flavor, marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 4 to 6 hours before cooking. No buttermilk? Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to 1 cup milk and let sit 5 minutes. If you prefer a vegetarian version, skip the chicken and add extra sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To freeze, portion into freezer-safe containers and reheat directly from frozen in a skillet. Avoid overcooking the tortellini; it will continue to soften when stirred with the hot chicken. Serve with a side of crusty sourdough bread to soak up the pesto sauce.

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