15-MInute Pesto Tortellini with Chicken

Pesto with tortellini, chicken, and broccoli in a large white serving bowl with a spoon.

15-MInute Pesto Tortellini with Chicken

Busy weeknight meals have never tasted better! In just 15 minutes you will have a complete meal of pesto tortellini with chicken and broccoli that your kids will be raving about.

Course dinner

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Draining tortellini and broccoli 2

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 508kcal

Author Kristi

Equipment

1 Large pot.
1 Large strainer

Ingredients

10 oz Spinach Tortellini Can use cheese tortellini instead.
2 cups Broccoli florets Can use up to 3 cups.
1 ½ cups Cooked chicken Shredded or chopped cooked chicken.
7 oz Pesto Homemade or Storebought

Instructions

Use a large pot to bring water to a boil.
Add tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, until the tortellini is 'al dente' (cooked through, but still firm). This takes about 2-3 minutes when using fresh tortellini.
Add broccoli to the boiling water for the last minute of cooking the tortellini.
Use a large colander to drain tortellini and broccoli.
Add cooked tortellini, broccoli, and chicken to the pot. Mix in the pesto and cook over medium heat, just until heated through.
Optional: sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

Nutrition facts are just an estimate and will vary depending on the type and brand of tortellini and pesto used to make it.
Tortellini cooks very quickly. Be sure not to overcook the tortellini or broccoli, otherwise it will be mushy.
To make this a vegetarian meal, leave the chicken out.
This recipe is easily doubled.
This meal will taste as good as your pesto. Use a pesto that you know your family enjoys.
If you don't have as much pesto as this recipe calls for, you can either reserve some of the pasta water or use broth or olive oil to thin out the pesto that you do have.
Leftovers can be enjoyed hot or cold (like a pasta salad). My kids like to heat leftover pesto tortellini up and place it in a thermos to pack in their school lunches.
This recipe is super flexible. You can stir in fresh spinach leaves or cherry tomatoes in the final step for to add color and enhance the nutrient profile.
For a touch of spice, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.
For a Mediterranean flare, add sun dried tomatoes and / or sliced olives.

Nutrition