Okay, confession time! When I’m absolutely wiped out after a long day and the thought of making a gourmet meal feels like climbing Mount Everest, this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner is my absolute savior. Seriously, it’s a lifesaver! You just toss everything into one pot, and bam – you’ve got this incredibly comforting, cheesy, delicious meal with hardly any fuss. My family devours it, and the best part? Minimal cleanup. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen rockstar even when you’re running on fumes. This Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner is truly a game-changer!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

Honestly, this recipe is a weeknight warrior! Here’s why it’s earned a permanent spot in my rotation:

It’s incredibly quick to prepare, making it perfect for those super busy nights when you just need dinner done.
You get this rich, super creamy sauce that’s just pure comfort food heaven.
Minimal dishes mean way less cleanup, which is honestly the best part – more time to actually enjoy your meal!
It’s a satisfying meal that pretty much everyone in the family loves, picky eaters included.

Gather Your Ingredients for Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row for this super easy dinner! Having everything ready makes the actual cooking a breeze. Trust me on this one – it makes all the difference.

Chicken and Aromatics for Your Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

We’re starting with some good old boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about a pound, cut into nice bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Then, we’ll need a tablespoon of olive oil to get things started in the pot, one medium onion that’s been chopped up, and a couple of cloves of garlic, minced nice and fine.

The Creamy Sauce and Pasta Base

This is where the magic happens! We’ll need 4 cups of chicken broth – I usually go for low-sodium so I can control the saltiness myself. Then, grab a 19-ounce package of refrigerated cheese tortellini; they cook up so perfectly in this. A 10-ounce can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained, is crucial for that little kick. And of course, the star of the show: an 8-ounce block of Velveeta cheese, cubed up. Don’t forget your half teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper to season it just right.

Optional Garnish

If you’re feeling fancy, a little sprinkle of about 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro at the end adds a lovely pop of color and freshness!

How to Prepare Your Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

Alright, let’s get this simple dinner party started! It’s honestly so straightforward, you’ll be amazed you didn’t make it sooner.

Browning the Chicken

First things first, grab a nice big pot or a Dutch oven and get it nice and warm over medium-high heat with that tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in your chicken pieces and let them get a good golden-brown sear on all sides. This just adds a little extra flavor! Once they’re browned, scoop them out and set them aside for a sec.

Building the Flavor Base

Now, into that same pot, toss in your chopped onion. Let it soften up for about 5 minutes – you’ll see it get nice and translucent. Then, add in your minced garlic and give it a quick minute until it smells amazing. Careful not to burn the garlic!

Creating the Creamy Tortellini Mixture

Time for the creamy goodness! Pour in your chicken broth, and while you’re doing that, scrape up any tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot – that’s pure flavor right there. Now, just stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini, that can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (don’t drain it!), and all those lovely cubes of Velveeta cheese.

Bring this whole yummy mixture up to a gentle simmer. Then, turn the heat down to medium-low, pop a lid on, and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes. Just give it a stir now and then to make sure nothing sticks and the cheese melts into this glorious, creamy sauce. You want the tortellini to be perfectly tender.

Finishing Your Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

Okay, almost there! Bring that browned chicken back into the pot. Give everything a good stir to make sure it’s all combined and heated through nicely.

Now it’s time to taste and season. Add your salt and pepper, just to your liking.

And for the final touch, if you’re using it, sprinkle on that fresh chopped cilantro. It just makes it look and taste even better!

Tips for the Best Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

You know, sometimes a little tweak can make a good recipe even better, or just fit your life perfectly. Here are a few things I’ve learned that really help with this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner!

Ingredient Swaps and Spice Level

If you like things with a bit more kick, definitely try swapping out the regular diced tomatoes and green chilies for a can of diced tomatoes and jalapenos. It gives the whole dish a nice little warmth that’s just delicious!

Speeding Up the Process

Honestly, some nights I just don’t have it in me to chop chicken. My secret weapon? Rotisserie chicken! Just grab a pre-cooked one, shred or dice it up, and toss it in during step 5. It’s a total game-changer for getting this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner on the table even faster.

Achieving Perfect Sauce Consistency

Now, the Velveeta makes it super creamy, but sometimes it can get a *little* thick, especially if it sits for a minute. If that happens, don’t panic! Just add a splash more chicken broth or even a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s just the way you like it. So easy!

Serving and Storage for Your Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

This Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner is honestly such a complete meal on its own. But, if you want to add a little something extra, a super simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect. And who doesn’t love some crusty bread to sop up all that amazing cheesy sauce? It’s a must!

Storing Leftovers

Now, if you happen to have any of this deliciousness leftover – which is rare in my house! – just pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just give it a gentle stir on the stovetop over low heat, or pop it in the microwave. If it seems a bit thick, just add a tiny splash of chicken broth or water to get that creamy sauce flowing again.

Frequently Asked Questions about Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

Got questions about this super easy dinner? I’ve got you covered!

Can I use a different type of pasta?

While the cheese tortellini is just perfect for this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner, you can totally switch it up! Try other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini. Just remember to adjust the cooking time a bit so it gets nice and tender.

Is this recipe vegetarian?

This particular recipe has chicken in it, so it’s a chicken dish. If you want to make it vegetarian, just leave out the chicken! You could also toss in some extra veggies, like broccoli florets or fresh spinach, to make it even more substantial.

How can I make the sauce richer?

If you’re like me and love an extra-creamy sauce, it’s super simple! For an even richer sauce in this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner, just stir in a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or half-and-half right at the very end. It makes it extra luscious!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info you see for this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner is an estimate. It can totally change depending on the exact brands you use, how big your portions are, and even little tweaks you make!

Share Your Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner Experience!

So, did you give this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner a whirl? I am just dying to know what you thought! Seriously, please drop a comment below and tell me all about it. Did you try any fun variations? I love hearing how you guys put your own spin on my recipes!

Wow! Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini One-Pot Dinner

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and creamy one-pot dinner featuring chicken, tortellini, and Velveeta cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 (19 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 (8 ounce) block Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove chicken from pot and set aside.
Add onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Stir in tortellini, diced tomatoes and green chilies, and Velveeta cheese.
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tortellini is tender and cheese is melted and creamy.
Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir to combine and heat through.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired, before serving.

Notes

For a spicier dish, use a can of diced tomatoes and jalapenos.
You can substitute rotisserie chicken for the raw chicken breasts for an even quicker meal.
If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: One-Pot
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
Calories: 550
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 1200mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: Velveeta chicken tortellini, one pot dinner, easy chicken recipe, creamy pasta, quick dinner