Cheesy Chicken Tortellini
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Cheesy Chicken Tortellini is a semi-homemade dinner time favorite! Easy store bought cheese filled tortellini, tender perfectly seasoned chicken, and marinara tossed together and topped with mozzarella!
Raise your hand if you have days where you’re way too busy to cook a full course meal, but still want to eat a healthier homemade meal. Everyone? Okay. Honestly, the name, Cheesy Chicken Tortellini completely speaks for itself here! This dish is super quick, easy, and delicious. Three of my very favorite things when life gets a lil’ crazy.
I’ve made this about 12 times in the past couple months and I’ll tell ya what.. It hits the spot. Every. Single. Dang. Time. It’s simple. It’s delicious. Every other time I make it Pepper eats all of it up including the chicken. The other times she eats only the tortellini. So, I call that a win! I’ve made this multiple times where I’ve added different veggies which adds some delicious texture and a whole bunch of nutrients. I think out of the few I’ve tried we preferred zucchini the most. When I went to photograph this, I went the grocery store to grab a few ingredients one of which was zucchini and they looked sad. Very, very sad. So, I decided to spare you and my family of those very sad lookin’ zucchinis and just omit them this time around. Eric would tell ya that it needs mushrooms, but that’s like a curse word in my kitchen so I’d fling those suckers out the door before they went into this delicious bake. This meal calls for one of my most popular, most versatile, and easiest recipes *drum roll* Crock Pot Marinara! It’s basically kind of like the most popular girl in high school type of recipe. It’s oh so good! If you haven’t tried it. Do yourself a favor and make it! If you just don’t feel like making it though, I understand. We’ve all been there. Try to use a higher quality and/or your favorite jar of marinara as that’s where bunches of the flavor is in this recipe. Be mindful that the points/calories are figured for my crock pot marinara which happens to be zero smart points/points plus for any amount and about 25 calories per half cup.
Alright, into the kitchen!
I made a fresh batch of sauce and my house smelled like a little Italian eatery. It was divine. You’ll need this stuff. Or you’ll need some jars of the stuff. Either one works, but I’m a little biased and I prefer homemade marinara. You can find the recipe for this here.
You’ll need some raw chicken breast and you’ll need to cut it up into even “bite size” pieces. I love taking pictures of raw chicken probably just as much as you love lookin’ at them. Trust me. Ha! It’s part of the process.
In a large skillet heat a couple teaspoons of oil then throw in the chicken. Generously sprinkle some salt, pepper, and about 1 heaping tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
One of the most important steps is to cook the chicken properly. Nobody, not one person, wants a dry piece of chicken. My biggest tips are as follows:
- Don’t crowd the pan. Cook in two batches if you do not have a large skillet!
- Cut the pieces as evenly as possible. (I’m not perfect, but I sure try!)
- Cook smaller “bite size pieces” over medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes, flip the chicken from time to time with a spatula, remove from pan, and let the chicken rest for a few minutes! I cook them until they are just on the verge of being completely cooked. The chicken will continue to cook for a few minutes after taking it off the heat. I questioned this for entirely too long before I finally gave in and believed it. Trust me, it’s true.
- If unsure eyeball the largest looking piece of chicken, remove from pan, cut open, no pink? alright remove it all from the pan and let it all rest.
I put right into the casserole dish. No need for extra bowls or dishes here!
Add your frozen cheese tortellini to boiling water. It should only take 3-4 minutes, but follow the package directions.
Strain those perfect little cheese filled bites of pasta!
Mix it in with your chicken.
Now add your marinara, mmmmm
Mix it up real good.
Top with some marinara and pop it in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly, golden brown, and melted.
It’s simple and perfect for those nights you’re craving a big ol’ bowl of cheesy pasta, which is almost every night for me. I just love this recipe and I hope you do too!
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Star
Cheesy Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz package frozen cheese tortellini (dried/refrigerated tortellini will work too. You will need about 4 heaping cups of cooked tortellini total)
- 2 lbs raw chicken breast cut evenly as possible into bite size pieces
- 3 cups marinara sauce my favorite recipe here
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella made with 2% milk
- 3 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- kosher salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet heat vegetable oil and then add the chopped chicken. Sprinkle chicken with Italian seasoing, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook for about 6-8 minutes turning the pieces after they brown on one side and continue to cook until chicken is just done remove from pan and set aside to let it rest for a few minutes. Boil tortellini according to package directions, strain, add it to the chicken, followed by the all of the sauce. Place into a lightly sprayed casserole dish and top with mozzarella cheese. Place into the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is nicely melted and golden brown.Note: If marinara is cold (from being in the fridge if using my homemade version). You will need to either heat it up in a pan before putting it into the sauce or bake it for a little longer so it warms up completely.
Is it necessary to boil the tortellini first? I have baked frozen ravioli and sauce in the oven before, but maybe I baked it longer than this recipe is calling. Sounds delish and adding it to this weekend menu. Thanks!
Hi Jess! I haven’t tried it without boiling the tortellini first, but it might work with just added time. Let me know how it goes if you try it! And ill try it myself next time I make it!
Made this last night, super easy and quick family meal. Super tasty and had plenty for leftovers too! Make this dish, you won’t regret it.
This has become a favorite!!! I add spinach to get points added back from my WW plan!!!! Delicious!
What took me so long to make this??? I’m adding it to the regular menu plan.
I think this is my favorite so far! I love Italian style food. So this tortellini was right up my alley!! I overcooked some of my chicken unfortunately cooking chicken is my weakness, I’m still working on getting it right. Chicken is my favorite to eat, but most difficult for me to cook. It’s so sad! But I loved this recipe!
My instagram handle is @faithfulcay
I would love to get extra entries to win your air fryer!
This Cheesy Chicken Tortellini is a new favorite of mine! Star, you have the definition of “COMFORT FOOD” down!! Keep up your awesome work so we can eat all the good stuff!
Does dry tortellini work the same as long as it’s 16 oz total?
Can you tell me how you would add zucchini to this recipe?
Shredded or chopped and how much.
You continue to out-do yourself! Love your recipes!
Thank you, Pam!
You continue to out-do yourself! Love your recipes!
Thank you, Pam!
My husband doesn’t typically like pasta dishes but he loved this with your marinara. so good!!
My husband doesn’t typically like pasta dishes but he loved this with your marinara. so good!!
I am going to make this for a friend who just had a baby! What would the reheating directions be from the fridge? I’m not going to freeze it — but it will be cold! I assume just increase the baking time?! Thank you!!!
I would just heat for probably about 15 minutes longer and make sure to cover with foil. I hope she enjoys!
I am going to make this for a friend who just had a baby! What would the reheating directions be from the fridge? I’m not going to freeze it — but it will be cold! I assume just increase the baking time?! Thank you!!!
I would just heat for probably about 15 minutes longer and make sure to cover with foil. I hope she enjoys!
This sounds yummy I love quick family-friendly weeknight meals!
FYI In the step where you add the cheese, you say “top with marinara” instead of mozzarella.
Thanks! I’ll edit it! Hope you enjoy!
This sounds yummy I love quick family-friendly weeknight meals!
FYI In the step where you add the cheese, you say “top with marinara” instead of mozzarella.
Thanks! I’ll edit it! Hope you enjoy!
Are you using the Weight Watcher’s recipe builder to calculate the smart points? I cannot get mine to come up with 9 smart points.
I use the recipe builder. It could just be that different brands of food can have different point values, but I will double check my calculations to be safe!
Hey There!
I didn’t use any oil and I only used 1 1/2 cups of store bought sauce and I scanned my products and calculated it and for 1/6 of the casserole I’m getting 9SP…. if you use the oil it comes to 10 SP! I just want people to have correct info! I love your recipes! Can’t wait to try this tonight!! Thank you!
Hey Beth! It could possibly be the sort of tortellini you are using and are you using jarred sauce? That can make a difference as well.
Are you using the Weight Watcher’s recipe builder to calculate the smart points? I cannot get mine to come up with 9 smart points.
I use the recipe builder. It could just be that different brands of food can have different point values, but I will double check my calculations to be safe!
What size casserole do you recommend? 9×13?
Thanks.
9×13 works just fine!
What size casserole do you recommend? 9×13?
Thanks.
9×13 works just fine!
Hoping to try this week! I have a package of Trader Joe’s Mini Ravioli with cheese filling, If I made 4 cups cooked as recipe calls for the tortellini, do you think that would be a fair trade as far as points go?
I should add, the bag is also16 oz, which maybe would be equivalent b/c its pasta vs pasta?
I think it would definitely work the same! As long as it’s just cheese tortellini and no meat they should be about the same =)
Hoping to try this week! I have a package of Trader Joe’s Mini Ravioli with cheese filling, If I made 4 cups cooked as recipe calls for the tortellini, do you think that would be a fair trade as far as points go?
I should add, the bag is also16 oz, which maybe would be equivalent b/c its pasta vs pasta?
I think it would definitely work the same! As long as it’s just cheese tortellini and no meat they should be about the same =)
This was so so delicious! No leftovers 🙁
Whoohoo! So happy ya enjoyed. =)
This was so so delicious! No leftovers 🙁
Whoohoo! So happy ya enjoyed. =)
Is it possible to use some of your shredded chicken that I have in the freezer in this or does the chicken need to cook from raw?
I personally like it with the fresh chicken more than the shredded chicken, but it can totally be substituted!
Awesome thanks!
Is it possible to use some of your shredded chicken that I have in the freezer in this or does the chicken need to cook from raw?
I personally like it with the fresh chicken more than the shredded chicken, but it can totally be substituted!
Awesome thanks!
I have some fresh cheese tortellini in my fridge that I need to use this week, so I’m so glad you created this meal! Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen? Thanks for creating delicious recipes!
Of course! Just make sure it’s about 4 cups/16 oz! =)Enjoy!
I have some fresh cheese tortellini in my fridge that I need to use this week, so I’m so glad you created this meal! Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen? Thanks for creating delicious recipes!
Of course! Just make sure it’s about 4 cups/16 oz! =)Enjoy!