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Easy Chicken Tortellini

BySammi Ricke
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This easy chicken tortellini recipe is our go-to comfort food when we have no time to cook but still need to get dinner on the table. High in protein and made with veggies, it comes together with eight simple ingredients in one pan and is ready to eat in less than 20 minutes!

Gold spoon in bowl of cheese tortellini, broccoli, and diced chicken breast.

We make chicken several times a week, rotating through recipes like our chicken noodle casserole, avocado chicken salad, and crack chicken chili. However, this chicken tortellini recipe is one of our favorites!

We start with frozen tortellini to keep things super easy, jazzing it up with extra seasonings. The perfect way to use leftover chicken, this dish requires virtually no prep work, cooks quickly in one pot, and always turns out great. Meal prep-friendly, this one-pot tortellini is savory, cheesy, and so delicious! 

Ingredients You’ll Need

Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete ingredients and instructions!

Labeled ingredients for chicken tortellini with broccoli on a white marble countertop.
  • Tortellini – We use frozen cheese-filled tortellini, but we’ve swapped the cheese tortellini with meat-filled tortellini, too. Anything goes!
  • Broccoli – This adds a pop of color and nutrients. If we don’t have broccoli on hand, we use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or peppers instead. 
  • Chicken – We always make extra boiled whole chicken, baked chicken, or crockpot shredded chicken when meal prepping, cutting it into bite-sized pieces. Shredded rotisserie chicken works well, too!
  • Butter – This adds richness and creates a sauce to combine the seasonings and ensure they cling to the pasta, chicken, and veggies. 
  • Flavor Enhancers – Lemon juice, garlic powder, dried parsley, and dried basil create a savory, herbaceous sauce balanced with bright, citrusy notes from the lemon. 
Chicken tortellini with broccoli in a black pot.

Possible Variations

  • Make creamy tortellini chicken. Stir in 4 ounces of cream cheese, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, or a splash of milk at the end for a richer, creamier sauce.
  • Swap the protein. Use rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or even leftover salmon instead of chicken breast.
  • Add more vegetables. Toss in spinach, peas, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra color and nutrients.
  • Add spice. Include a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot honey before serving for a kick of heat. 
  • Pesto chicken tortellini. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of basil walnut pesto along with the butter sauce for an easy flavor boost.
Chicken tortellini topped with shredded Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Our Favorite Ways to Serve

We love to pair this easy tortellini chicken recipe with a side of garlic bread or homemade sourdough sandwich bread to scoop up all the sauce. Then, we add a pizza salad, spinach & roasted eggplant salad, or a Greek mason jar salad for extra nutrients, making for a hearty meal both kids and adults love. 

More Easy Chicken Dinners

Gold spoon in bowl of cheese tortellini, broccoli, and diced chicken breast.

Easy Chicken Tortellini Recipe

Sammi Ricke
Make this easy chicken tortellini recipe with eight simple ingredients in one pot for a high-protein, veggie-filled, 20-minute comfort food dinner!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine All American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 533 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 36 ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini
  • 12 ounce bag frozen broccoli
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and sliced thinly
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Optional Topping: shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Place the bagged frozen broccoli in the microwave to warm. The broccoli should be room temperature, it does not need to be hot. Set aside.
    12 ounce bag frozen broccoli
  • On the stovetop, bring a large pot of water up to a boil. Place the frozen tortellini in the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes.
    36 ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini
  • Drain in a colander and set aside.
  • To the large pot, add the butter, lemon juice, and spices. Over low-medium heat, melt the butter and stir the sauce ingredients together until combined.
    1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Add the tortellini back to the pan along with the broccoli and chicken. Gently stir to combine.
    2 large chicken breasts, cooked and sliced thinly
  • Serve as is or sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
    Optional Topping: shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Store leftovers in a airtight container for up to 4 days.

Notes

Ingredient Tips – If using fresh broccoli, add it to the boiling water (before the tortellini is added) and fish it out with a slotted spoon once it’s softened. Set the cooked broccoli aside on a plate until ready to add in Step 5. Add the frozen tortellini to the boiling water and proceed with the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 533kcalCarbohydrates: 54.5gProtein: 29.3gFat: 29.8gSaturated Fat: 11.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 115.8mgSodium: 648.5mgPotassium: 0mgFiber: 10.7gSugar: 2.2gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 0mgIron: 0mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Two bowls of cheese tortellini with broccoli and chicken breast.

Did you enjoy this Easy Chicken Tortellini Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!

Sammi Ricke is a talented cook with a knack for coming up with creative new ways to healthify recipes without sacrificing any of the flavor. Sammi has built a beautiful life with her high school sweetheart and enjoys her primary role as a stay-at-home mom to their two children. If Sammi's not in her kitchen, she's probably exploring a new hiking trail, enjoying coffee with a friend, or binge-watching the latest "Food Network" show on Netflix. Sammi's full Bio.

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5 from 1 vote

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    We have loved this easy and flavorful dinner recipe for years! It only takes minutes to prepare and is a crowd pleaser.

    Reply