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 4-6 hours. Drain before using. If not marinating, pat chicken dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken pieces with the seasoning mixture, then sprinkle with flour and toss to coat evenly.
Cook the chicken and aromatics
- In the same pot used for tortellini (nonstick preferred), heat 3 tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomatoes (or olive oil) over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the basil sprig and garlic, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). If needed, add a little more oil. When chicken is nearly done, remove the basil sprig and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 1-2 minutes more.
Combine and finish
- Return the drained tortellini to the pot with the chicken. Reduce heat to low and gently stir for 1-2 minutes to warm through.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the basil pesto and 1-2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil) until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Serve
- Divide among plates. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
For a quicker version, skip the buttermilk marinade and just season the chicken directly. If you don't have buttermilk, stir 1 tablespoon lemon juice into 1 cup milk and let sit 5 minutes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove or microwave. To freeze, portion into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. For extra vegetables, add a handful of fresh spinach or chopped zucchini when you add the sun-dried tomatoes. Adjust the amount of pesto to your taste—some prefer a lighter coating.
