Creamy Pesto Tortellini Skillet (Printable)

Tender tortellini and rotisserie chicken in rich basil pesto cream sauce—ready in 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Protein

01 - 20 oz package shelf-stable cheese tortellini
02 - 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded (skin and bones removed)

→ Sauce

03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

→ Vegetables & Garnish

08 - 2 cups baby spinach
09 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
10 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large skillet of salted water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually 3–4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in pesto and Parmesan until smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and cooked tortellini to the skillet. Stir to coat evenly with the sauce.
04 - Fold in baby spinach and cherry tomatoes (if using). Cook for 1–2 minutes, until spinach is wilted and the sauce is creamy and bubbling.
05 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means youre eating dinner in under thirty minutes with minimal cleanup
  • The combination of store-bought rotisserie chicken and shelf-stable tortellini makes this incredibly budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor
02 -
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it sits off the heat, so resist the urge to reduce it too much during cooking
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly than cold cream straight from the fridge
03 -
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh from a block instead of using pre-grated cheese for better melting and a smoother sauce
  • Reserve a splash of the pasta water before draining in case you need to thin the sauce slightly
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