One Pan Chicken Bacon Tortellini

This One Pan Chicken Bacon Tortellini recipe is the kind of dinner I make when I need something warm, creamy, and comforting without making a bigger mess in my kitchen. It’s packed with tender chicken, delicious bacon, cheesy tortellini, and a rich sauce that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did. On the busiest, most exhausting days, this is the kind of cozy meal that helps dinner feel a little softer.

I’m one of those people that gets so caught up in the things I’m doing that I often forget to eat and won’t notice that I’m even hungry until it’s much too late. By then I’m usually so hungry that I just eat something quick from the fridge or pick something up instead of cooking a delicious and filling meal for myself and my family.

I’ve been trying to do better lately, and I had Tortellini in my fridge from when I made Easy Chicken Tortellini Soup, so I threw together this recipe from everything I had left in my fridge. And let me tell you it is delicious. I make this one on repeat all the time now.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m neurodivergent, but cooking raw chicken used to stress me out a lot and cause me to get overwhelmed pretty quickly. This recipe keeps it nice and simple. I hope you like it.

Make this One Pan Chicken Bacon Tortellini when…

• You want something your whole family is going to enjoy (even the picky husbands)
• You want something you can eat as a whole meal
• You don’t want to create a lot of dishes or clean up

Ingredient notes…

Here is what you’ll need to make this One Pan Chicken Bacon Tortellini recipe. Please be sure to check the recipe card for the exact ingredients and measurements.

• Cooked bacon: To add protein and flavor. I used a bag of precooked bacon bits, but you can always cook your bacon first and chop it into pieces if you don’t have any bacon bits on hand.
• Onion: Gives the dish a savory depth. You can always omit it if someone is not a fan of onions.
• Chicken: I used chicken thighs because they are my favorite. I find they retain flavor and moisture better without getting overcooked and dried out, but you can always use chicken breast if you prefer, or even another type of meat.
• Chicken broth: Builds the base for the sauce and cooks the tortellini. You can use another type of broth or stock if you prefer such as beef or veggie.
• Heavy cream: Helps to thicken the sauce. You could use something else like half and half, milk, or even coconut milk. Just be aware it may change the consistency and taste of the recipe.
• Garlic: Adds flavor to the dish. Feel free to omit if needed.
• Tortellini: A hearty pasta that adds substance to your dish. Can use any kind you want: chicken, cheese, spinach, frozen, dried etc. Just be aware you may need to adjust cooking time. You can also substitute another type of pasta if you wish (you just may need to cook for longer to reach desired consistency).
• Shredded cheese: Helps to thicken the sauce and adds flavor. I used a cheddar mozzarella blend, but you can use any type of cheese that you prefer.
• Cornstarch: To coat the chicken and give it a bit of texture.
• Butter: To cook the onions and keep things from sticking.
• Ranch seasoning: To season the chicken. Use any type of seasoning you prefer.
• Cajun seasoning: To season the chicken. Use any type of seasoning you prefer.

Equipment I swear by…

• A good large non-stick Skillet
• An easy cheese shredder
• A veggie chopper

While the One Pan Chicken Bacon Tortellini simmers…

• Kiss your cute animals (I have two dogs and they are always lurking when I cook trying to snag anything that gets dropped on the floor)
• Pour yourself something yummy to drink
• Plan a self-care activity for yourself for after you eat

How to make it…

See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

1. Cut your chicken into 1 inch bite sized pieces. Season well with whatever seasonings you prefer, I used ranch and Cajun seasoning. Add your cornstarch and mix.
2. Chop your onion if not already chopped.
3. Add butter to a non-stick skillet and cook chicken in medium heat, about 3-4 minutes for each side. Once it’s cooked through remove from pan and put aside.
4. Add onion to pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes or so. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
5. Add chicken broth and tortellini and cook until tortellini is soft, about 9-10 minutes. Stir frequently to keep pasta from sticking together.
6. Add heavy cream and shredded cheese. Keep stirring and cook for another 5 minutes so that cheese has a chance to melt and thicken the sauce.
7. Add your chicken and bacon back to the skillet. Mix well and let sit for a few minutes to thicken before serving.

My tips and tricks to make this recipe…

Saucier: The sauce does thicken a lot as it sits. If you want it saucier, or the sauce to be thinner I would add another few cups of broth.

More veggies: Feel free to add any veggies that you like. Tomatoes, spinach, or peas would all be a great addition, but you can obviously add anything that you like. If you do, comment below and let me know what you added and how it went.

Spicy: Use some of your favorite spices for seasoning like chili powder, red pepper or chili flakes, or cayenne seasoning. You could also add some hot sauce as well.

To make the cheese melt better: Store bought shredded cheese often includes anti-clumping agents to prevent the cheese from sticking together. This often prevents it from melting all the way in recipes. I personally don’t mind, because it still tastes good, but if you don’t like having a bit of cheese remaining and want it fully melted in the sauce I would shred my own cheese using a super easy cheese grater.

Storage notes:

Refrigerate: This dish tastes even better the next day. Tortellini will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, so you can always add some more chicken broth while reheating. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.

Freeze: I find that pasta usually doesn’t freeze and reheat very well. There have never been enough leftovers of this recipe for me to freeze so I have never personally tried it. If you do, let me know in the comments below how it went.

Are you struggling right now?

• Use precooked chicken and precooked bacon or bacon bits to save on time and stress.
• Use prechopped onion and jarred minced garlic
• Use pre-shredded cheese
• Do any kitchen clean up during the steps that this recipe is simmering so you have less to do later

Thank your for stopping by Comfort In a Bowl. If you create this recipe or any other from our site, we would greatly appreciate you taking the time to share, comment and rate the recipe! Take care of yourself.

Looking for more easy options with pasta?

• This Tortellini soup is delicious
• This recipe with chicken and orzo is easy to make

My burnout situation…

Now that the weather has been getting nice where I live, I have been trying to get out of the house at least once a day and going for a walk. Since I was put on stress leave I haven’t left the house very often at all unless it was for medical appointments or the occasional catch up with a friend or a coworker so it’s been nice feeling like I’m regaining a tiny bit of normalcy.

My wonderful husband had purchased a walking pad for me so that I could have continued to walk inside in the winter, but I had no energy and motivation and that poor thing sat in it’s box for months and months. I didn’t even end up setting it up and trying it out until recently, and I ended up getting a huge blister on my foot.

I think the plan going forward for now is I’m going to try to get my step goal in every single day. I will shoot for going outside, but for days that it isn’t as nice out or I don’t quite feel like it I will use my walking pad as a backup option and see how that goes.

Progress.

Conclusion…

It can be easy to make excuses and do the easy thing when things aren’t going perfectly or the way that you planned them. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of just picking up fast food, or eating something not great for you because you don’t have time or energy.

I totally get it because it’s been something I struggled with for years.

But I always feel better if I force myself to find the motivation and make that recipe I was going to make, or go for that walk even when I don’t feel like it.

Take care of yourself.

-Caitlin