Ingredients
Method
Cook the Tortellini
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Divide among plates and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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.
