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+ servings

Summer Pesto Tortellini Skillet with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A quick one-pan summer pesto tortellini skillet with tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich basil pesto sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Pasta, Quick Meals
Cuisine: American
Calories: 585

Ingredients
  

For the chicken
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk optional for marinating
  • 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 olive oil or oil from sun-dried tomatoes
  • 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
For serving (optional)
  • red pepper flakes to taste
  • fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

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 4-6 hours. Drain before using. If not marinating, pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  2. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  1. Return the drained tortellini to the pot with the chicken. Reduce heat to low and gently stir for 1-2 minutes to warm through.
  2. 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
  1. Divide among plates. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 585kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 1020mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g

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.

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