Easy dinners. Plenty of protein. No complicated prep.
WeeknightProtein

Recipes / 30-Minute Dinners

30-minute dinner

Chicken Pesto Tortellini Skillet

Chicken, cheese tortellini, tomatoes, spinach, and pesto make a bright 30-minute skillet dinner with an estimated 39 grams of protein per serving.

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Chicken pesto tortellini skillet with cherry tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan
Total time
30 min
Serves
6
Est. protein
39g

Why this one is weeknight-friendly

Refrigerated tortellini cooks quickly in the same skillet as the chicken. Pesto brings plenty of flavor without building a separate sauce.

A few helpful tips

Follow the tortellini package time and keep the simmer gentle. Stir pesto in off the heat to preserve its color.

Easy swaps

Use arugula instead of spinach or chopped zucchini instead of tomatoes. Check pesto labels carefully if allergens are a concern.

Save the leftovers

Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days and reheat the chicken to 165°F. Add a splash of broth if needed.

The recipe

Chicken Pesto Tortellini Skillet

10 min prep · 20 min cook

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Contains: Egg, Milk, Wheat, Tree Nuts

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Add the chicken broth and tortellini. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook according to the tortellini package timing, stirring once, until tender and the chicken reaches 165°F.
  4. Stir in the tomatoes and spinach. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften slightly.
  5. Remove from the heat and stir in the pesto. Finish with Parmesan.

Food safety: Cook chicken to 165°F. Verify pesto and tortellini labels for allergens, which vary by brand.

About the protein estimate39g per serving is an estimate based on standard ingredient data. Brands, substitutions, and portion sizes change the result. View the source.