Chicken Bacon Tortellini: A Delicious Combination

what do you have with chicken and bacon tortellini

Chicken and bacon tortellini is a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for a cold day. The dish combines juicy chicken, crispy bacon, creamy sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes with tortellini pasta. This recipe is an upgrade on the classic Marry Me Chicken dish, which is a simple sautéed chicken dish in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. The addition of tortellini makes it a hearty and indulgent meal that is sure to please. This recipe can be made in about 30 minutes and can be served with a big salad, roasted veggies, or garlic bread.

cychicken

Chicken and bacon tortellini recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup of flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
  • 1/3 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 cup of chicken broth
  • 1 cup of heavy cream
  • 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of oregano and thyme
  • 1 19 oz bag of frozen tortellini
  • 3 tablespoons of chopped bacon
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Method

  • Slice the chicken breasts into cubes.
  • Mix the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a bowl.
  • Coat the chicken cubes in the flour mixture and shake off any excess.
  • Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Place the chicken into the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth.
  • Lower the heat and add the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese.
  • Stir in the red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme.
  • Add the frozen tortellini to the skillet and let it cook for a few minutes until tender.
  • In a separate skillet, cook the bacon until crispy.
  • Once the tortellini is cooked, add the chicken and bacon back into the skillet and stir until everything is coated in the sauce.
  • Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

Tips and Variations:

  • This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and a 1:1 gluten-free flour alternative to coat the chicken.
  • You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less crushed red pepper flakes.
  • For a healthier option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and add some spinach for a nutrition boost.
  • If you can't find frozen tortellini, you can use dried tortellini or cheese-filled tortellini.
  • This recipe pairs well with a side salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread.

cychicken

Chicken and bacon tortellini side dishes

Chicken and bacon tortellini is a hearty and indulgent dish, perfect for a comforting meal. To round out this rich dish, here are some side dish suggestions:

Salad

A fresh and crisp salad can provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy tortellini. Opt for a spinach salad or an arugula salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the dish.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables offer a delightful balance to the meal. Consider roasting seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, or bell peppers. Drizzle them with olive oil and herbs to enhance their flavour.

Garlic Bread

For a classic side dish to accompany any Italian meal, garlic bread is an excellent choice. The garlicky aroma and crispy texture pair beautifully with the tortellini, providing a satisfying contrast in textures.

Steamed Vegetables

For a lighter option, steamed vegetables can be a healthy and tasty side. Steam some broccoli florets, green beans, or carrots to retain their nutritional value and natural flavour.

Breadsticks or Crostini

Breadsticks or crostini can add a crunchy element to your meal. Serve them plain or with a dip, such as hummus or tzatziki, for a tasty addition to your spread.

Remember to consider the portion sizes of the main dish and sides to ensure a well-balanced meal. Enjoy crafting a delightful dining experience!

Brining Chicken: Salt Water or Salt?

You may want to see also

cychicken

Chicken and bacon tortellini cooking tips

Chicken and bacon tortellini is a delicious and comforting meal that can be prepared in several ways. Here are some cooking tips to help you create a mouth-watering dish:

Prepare the Chicken

Start by slicing two large chicken breasts into cubes. You can also use leftover chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken if you're short on time. To bread the chicken, mix flour with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a bowl. Coat the chicken cubes in this mixture, shaking off any excess flour. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Set the chicken aside on a plate once it's done.

Cook the Bacon

Chop the bacon into small pieces. Using the same skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it's crispy and rendered. This should take about 8 minutes. If you're making the pasta filling, you can cook the bacon in a small amount of oil or butter until crispy before adding the other ingredients.

Prepare the Sauce

Add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth to the skillet. You can also include shallots or leek for extra flavour. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stirring frequently. If you want a milder sauce, use less cream and let the chicken and pasta absorb the flavour. Season with red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes.

Cook the Tortellini

Bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Fresh cheese-filled tortellini is recommended for this dish. If you want to cook the tortellini directly in the sauce, add it to the skillet after stirring in the broth. Cover and simmer for a few minutes until the tortellini is tender. If using dried tortellini, boil it for 3-5 minutes or until it floats to the surface. Remember to reserve some pasta water, as it will help create a creamy sauce and bind the ingredients together.

Combine and Serve

Once the tortellini is cooked, add the chicken and bacon back into the skillet and stir until everything is coated in the creamy sauce. You can also add some fresh spinach for colour and extra nutrition. Plate your chicken and bacon tortellini, garnishing with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy your delicious creation!

cychicken

Chicken and bacon tortellini alternatives

Chicken and bacon tortellini is a delicious and indulgent meal, perfect for a cold day. The dish is a twist on the classic \"Marry Me Chicken\", a creamy chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes. The tortellini recipe is a family-friendly meal that can be made in under 30 minutes.

Alternatives

If you are looking for alternatives to chicken and bacon tortellini, there are a few options you could consider. Firstly, you could try a different type of pasta. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and a 1:1 gluten-free flour alternative to coat the chicken. You could also experiment with filled pasta, such as ravioli or cappellacci. Spinach and ricotta cappellacci cooked in a butter sauce with sage is a delicious, more traditional option.

Another alternative is to switch up the protein. You could try veggie-based Italian sausage or another meat alternative. If you want to stick with chicken, you could try a different type of sauce, such as a mild garlic cream sauce or a carbonara. For a really indulgent option, you could make a creamy chicken, bacon, and leek pie.

Finally, you could serve the chicken and bacon tortellini with some sides. A big salad, roasted veggies, and garlic bread would all be delicious accompaniments to the dish.

cychicken

Chicken and bacon tortellini nutritional information

Chicken and bacon tortellini is a flavourful and relatively quick meal to make. The dish is a combination of chicken, bacon, tortellini, and a creamy sauce. The sauce is often made with a combination of butter, olive oil, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and spices. The chicken is typically breaded with a mixture of flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, then cooked in a skillet. The bacon is also cooked in a skillet until crispy. The tortellini is usually boiled separately and then added to the sauce, along with the cooked chicken and bacon.

Nutritional Information:

While the exact nutritional information for chicken and bacon tortellini may vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used, we can provide an estimate based on the ingredients mentioned in the recipes. Please note that the values provided are approximate and may differ depending on the brand and type of ingredient used.

Calories: The dish is likely to be calorie-dense due to the presence of butter, olive oil, heavy cream, and cheese. Each of these ingredients contributes a significant amount of calories, with the cream and cheese also providing a substantial amount of fat.

Fat: As mentioned above, the fat content is likely to be high due to the cream and cheese. The type of fat can be estimated as primarily saturated, given the sources. However, the bacon and chicken (if using dark meat) will also contribute monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Protein: Chicken and bacon are excellent sources of protein, so the dish is likely to provide a substantial amount. The exact amount will depend on the proportion of chicken and bacon used relative to the other ingredients.

Carbohydrates: Tortellini is a type of pasta, which is a carbohydrate-rich food. The dish's carbohydrate content will depend on the serving size of tortellini and the amount of flour used in the breading for the chicken.

Vitamins and Minerals: The dish may provide a good amount of certain vitamins and minerals, depending on the specific ingredients used. For example, if sun-dried tomatoes are included, they provide vitamin C, vitamin K, and several B vitamins. Spinach, if added, boosts the iron, vitamin K, and vitamin A content.

It is worth noting that the sodium content of the dish may be high due to the bacon, broth, and cheese. However, using unsalted butter and broth, as suggested by some recipes, can help reduce the sodium content. Additionally, the dish's overall nutritional profile can be adjusted by making substitutions, such as using gluten-free flour and pasta or opting for low-fat dairy products.

Frequently asked questions

You will need chicken, bacon, tortellini, olive oil, Italian seasoning, cream, and shredded Parmesan cheese. You can also add vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavour and nutrition.

First, cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. While the tortellini is cooking, prepare the chicken by slicing it into cubes and coating it in a mixture of flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken until golden brown. Next, combine the cooked tortellini, chicken, bacon, and vegetables (if using) in the skillet. Add heavy cream and boil until the sauce thickens. Finally, stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese and serve.

A big salad with lots of greens, such as spinach or arugula, is a great side dish to accompany the tortellini. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables or garlic bread.

The recipe typically yields around 6 servings, depending on the portion sizes. However, you can always double the recipe if you need to serve a larger crowd or have leftovers.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment