When you’re looking for a dinner that hits all the right notes – quick, comforting, and genuinely satisfying for the whole family – this easy chicken tortellini spinach skillet is about to become your new weeknight hero. It’s the kind of meal that comes together without fuss, leaving you more time to enjoy the evening.
This recipe is specifically designed for those busy evenings when you need a delicious meal on the table fast, but don’t want to compromise on flavor or nutrition. It’s a complete meal in one pan, making cleanup a breeze and ensuring everyone gets a hearty, homemade dinner.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Easy Chicken Tortellini Spinach Skillet
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This easy chicken tortellini spinach skillet is a quick, comforting, and satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a complete meal in one pan, featuring tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and healthy spinach in a savory tomato sauce, making cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Saute the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
2. 2. Build the Aromatic Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until it softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
3. 3. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. 4. Add the Tortellini: Uncover the skillet and gently stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini. Make sure the tortellini is submerged in the sauce as much as possible. Increase the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the skillet again, and cook for 7-9 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and cooked according to package directions. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. 5. Incorporate Spinach and Chicken: Once the tortellini is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach a handful at a time. The spinach will wilt down quickly into the hot sauce. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir everything together until the spinach is fully wilted and the chicken is heated through.
6. 6. Finish with Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the dish. Stir gently until the cheese is melted and well combined, creating a creamy, cheesy finish. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: italian-american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, tortellini, spinach, skillet, one-pan, weeknight, easy, comfort food, family friendly, quick
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone juggling a busy schedule but still wanting to provide a wholesome, homemade meal. It’s perfect for families with diverse palates because the flavors are universally appealing – tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and healthy spinach all bathed in a savory sauce. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for a Tuesday night after school and work, or even a relaxed weekend lunch. It’s also incredibly budget-friendly, stretching a few simple ingredients into a satisfying meal for four, which is a huge win when planning weekly dinners. This skillet meal is designed to minimize dishes and maximize flavor, ensuring a stress-free cooking experience from start to finish.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this skillet meal is straightforward, focusing on common pantry staples and fresh items easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, requiring no exotic spices or hard-to-find components.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (19 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
For simple substitutions, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts if that’s what you have on hand; they will cook up just as nicely. If you don’t have fresh spinach, a half-bag of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) can work in a pinch, though fresh is always preferred for texture. Any type of refrigerated tortellini will work, whether it’s cheese, spinach, or even a meat-filled variety, so choose your family’s favorite. If you’re out of Parmesan, a sprinkle of mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses would also be delicious for a melty finish.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is genuinely designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those nights when time is of the essence.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
You can have a hot, homemade meal on the table in just over half an hour, which is often faster than ordering takeout! The prep involves simple chopping and measuring, and the cooking is mostly hands-off simmering.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious chicken tortellini spinach skillet is a breeze when you follow these clear steps. Each stage is designed to build flavor efficiently.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Build the Aromatic Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the same skillet and cook until it softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add the Tortellini: Uncover the skillet and gently stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini. Make sure the tortellini is submerged in the sauce as much as possible. Increase the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the skillet again, and cook for 7-9 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and cooked according to package directions. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate Spinach and Chicken: Once the tortellini is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach a handful at a time. The spinach will wilt down quickly into the hot sauce. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir everything together until the spinach is fully wilted and the chicken is heated through.
- Finish with Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the dish. Stir gently until the cheese is melted and well combined, creating a creamy, cheesy finish. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This chicken tortellini spinach skillet is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can use mini tortellini or even cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces. If your kids aren’t keen on spinach, you can stir it in at the very end for the adults’ portions, or simply omit it and serve a side salad instead.
To add more vegetables, consider stirring in some sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini along with the onion. A dash of red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle kick for those who enjoy a little heat. For a richer flavor, a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese can be stirred in at the end with the Parmesan cheese.
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, or some crusty garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of the delicious sauce. It’s perfect for a casual family dinner, but also impressive enough to serve when friends come over for a relaxed evening. Set out a bowl of extra grated Parmesan cheese and maybe some fresh basil for garnish, allowing everyone to customize their plate.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls, but knowing them ahead of time can help you achieve perfect results every time. One common mistake is overcooking the chicken in the initial step. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly, so cook them just until they are browned on the outside and cooked through, then remove them promptly. They will finish heating through when added back to the sauce.
Another frequent issue is overcooking the tortellini. Refrigerated tortellini cooks much faster than dried pasta, so stick to the package directions, usually 7-9 minutes, and taste a piece to check for doneness. Mushy tortellini can ruin the texture of the dish.
Finally, be mindful of the heat when adding garlic. Garlic burns quickly and can turn bitter, so add it after the onions have softened and cook it for only about a minute until it’s fragrant. If your skillet seems too hot, briefly remove it from the burner before adding the garlic. Stirring the sauce occasionally while the tortellini cooks also helps prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan, ensuring even cooking and reducing the chances of scorching.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This chicken tortellini spinach skillet is fantastic fresh, but it also stores and reheats quite well, making it a great option for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers. To store, allow the skillet to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, the best method is to gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems too thick, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, heating in 1-minute intervals and stirring in between, until piping hot. Be careful not to overheat, as this can make the tortellini rubbery.
While this dish is best made fresh, you can do some prep work ahead of time. You can cut the chicken into cubes, chop the onion, and mince the garlic a day in advance and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. This will significantly cut down on your active cooking time when you’re ready to make dinner. Adding the spinach and Parmesan cheese just before serving will ensure the freshest taste and best texture.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated? Yes, you can use frozen tortellini. You might need to add
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
