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Creamy Chicken Bacon Tortellini Bake

creamy chicken bacon tortellini bake - featured image

This one-pot creamy chicken bacon tortellini bake is a comforting, cheesy dinner packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and pillowy cheese tortellini in a rich, bubbly sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, it’s a family favorite that’s easy to customize and guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), diced
  • 20 oz cheese tortellini (refrigerated or frozen)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Keep tortellini chilled if using refrigerated. Chop bacon, dice chicken into 1-inch cubes, and prep onion and garlic.
  2. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy (5-7 minutes). Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add olive oil and diced chicken to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Sear chicken until golden but not fully cooked through (about 5 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened (about 2 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. If pan is dry, add a splash of chicken broth.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Italian seasoning, half the mozzarella, and all the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer until cheese is melted and sauce is slightly thickened (2-3 minutes).
  6. Return chicken to skillet, add tortellini, and toss gently to coat. Fold in spinach if using. Sprinkle reserved bacon and remaining mozzarella evenly over the top.
  7. Transfer skillet to oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden and tortellini are tender. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  8. Let bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free tortellini and check broth labels. Substitute half-and-half or coconut milk for heavy cream if desired. Add extra veggies or swap cheeses for variety. If using frozen tortellini, add 5 minutes to bake time. Let rest before serving for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tortellini bake, creamy pasta, one-pot dinner, bacon, comfort food, easy weeknight meal, cheesy casserole