One Pot Buffalo Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, cheesy pasta dinner loaded with shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and cheese tortellini. Ready in 20 minutes!
If you are looking for a quick dinner that everyone will be excited about, this One Pot Buffalo Chicken Tortellini is it! This creamy, cheesy, pasta is packed with bold buffalo flavor and comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. I have made this time and time again for my family, and without fail, they scrape every last bite from the pot.
If you love easy dinners with minimal cleanup, be sure to check out my Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole and Cajun Chicken and Rice.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- One-Pot Meal - Everything cooks in a single pot for easy cleanup.
- Ready in 20 Minutes - Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Great Use of Leftover Chicken - A delicious way to use rotisserie or shredded chicken.
- Family-Friendly- Easy to make mild or extra spicy depending on your family's taste.
Reader Review: "My kids loved this! Buffalo is their favorite flavor - Thank you!" - Sherri
Ingredients
- Shredded Chicken: I used my Crock-Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe for this.
- Tortellini: Refrigerated tortellini cooks quickly and stays tender.
- Heavy Cream: Creates the rich, creamy sauce.
- Cream Cheese: Perfect to help mellow the buffalo sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Love cheddar for the melt and flavor.
- Blue Cheese: Optional, but adds the classic wing flavor.
- Buffalo Sauce: Use your favorite brand and adjust to preferred heat level.
- Salt and Pepper: To season and enhance flavors.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory flavor!
- Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds color and freshness.
Tip: If you place the blue cheese in the freezer for 10-20 minutes, it hardens and becomes easier to shred!
HOw to make One Pot Buffalo chicken Tortellini
- Shred the cheddar and blue cheese. Set aside.
- Warm the heavy cream in a large stock pot over medium-low heat.
- Gradually add the cheddar, blue cheese, and cream cheese, stirring constantly until completely melted and smooth. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the refrigeated tortellini. Cook for about 3 minutes until nearly tender.
- Add the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. Stir well and simmer another 2 minutes until everything is heated through and the tortellini is perfectly cooked.
- (optional) Garnish with sliced green onions, extra buffalo sauce, or blue cheese crumbles before serving.
Substitutions and variations
- Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken, smoked chicken, grilled chicken, or even leftover turkey will work.
- Cheeses: Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack or mozzarella. They all melt well!
- Protein: Add in bacon, grilled shrimp or cooked sausage for a fun twist.
- Add some Vegetables: Stir in spinach, diced celery, sautéed on onions, and mushrooms.
- Extra Heat: Add cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or a hotter buffalo sauce.
Expert Tips
- Freshly shred your cheese for the smoothest sauce.
- Make sure to warm the cream before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy.
- Don't overcook the tortellini, remember it cooks fast.
- Add buffalo sauce gradually if you are serving those who prefer less heat!
What to serve with Buffalo Tortellini
I love linking this with other easy dishes to make a well rounded meal. Below are some favorites:
- Garlic Butter Rolls
- Garden salad with Buttermilk Ranch
- Cucumber Dill Salad
- Caesar Salad
Storage
- To refrigerate - Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer - Because of the heavy cream and cheese, freezing may change the texture, so it is best enjoyed fresh.
- Reheating - Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
FAQ
Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes. You will need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.
Can I use ranch instead of blue cheese?
Absolutely! Leave out the blue cheese in the sauce and drizzle ranch over the top before serving if you prefer.
Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best served fresh if possible. Reheating leftovers can work well for lunch the next day!
Video of Recipe
Recipe
One Pot Buffalo Chicken Tortellini
This One Pot Buffalo Chicken Tortellini is the ultimate comfort food! Tender cheese tortellini, shredded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and buffalo sauce come together in one pot for an easy weeknight dinner that ready in about 20 minutes.
Equipment
- Stove Top
- Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken cooked and shredded
- 3 Cups Heavy Cream
- 20 Oz Three Cheese Tortellini
- ½ Cup Cream Cheese softened
- ¼ Cup Blue Cheese shredded
- ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ⅔ Cup Buffalo Sauce
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- ¾ teaspoon Pepper
- ¾ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Chives or Scallions optional toppings
Instructions
- Shred the cheddar and blue cheese. Set aside.
- Warm the heavy cream in a large stock pot over medium-low heat. 3 Cups Heavy Cream
- Gradually add the cheddar, blue cheese, and cream cheese, stirring constantly until completely melted and smooth. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese ¼ Cup Blue Cheese ½ Cup Cream Cheese ¾ Tsp Salt ¾ Tsp Pepper ¾ Tsp Garlic Powder
- Stir in the refrigerated tortellini. Cook for about 3 minutes until nearly tender. 20 Oz Three Cheese Tortellini
- Add the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. Stir well and simmer another 2 minutes until everything is heated through and the tortellini is perfectly cooked. 1 lb Chicken ⅔ Cup Buffalo Sauce
- (optional) Garnish with sliced green onions, extra buffalo sauce, or blue cheese crumbles before serving. Finely shred cheddar cheese and blue cheese.Chives or Scallions
Video
Notes
- Freshly shred your cheese for the smoothest sauce.
- Make sure to warm the cream before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy.
- Don't overcook the tortellini, remember it cooks fast.
- Add buffalo sauce gradually if you are serving those who prefer less heat!
Storage
- To refrigerate - Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer - Because of the heavy cream and cheese, freezing may change the texture, so it is best enjoyed fresh.
- Reheating - Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 1348kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 53gFat: 96gSaturated Fat: 56gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 363mgSodium: 3773mgPotassium: 660mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 3223IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 505mgIron: 4mg
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