Description
Comforting chicken divan tortellini bake combines creamy sauce with hearty pasta and tender chicken. Rich cheesy layers promise a satisfying meal you’ll devour with enthusiasm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese-and-spinach tortellini
- 4 cups chopped fresh broccoli
- 1 cup (4 oz) freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups half-and-half
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup chopped sweet onion
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 15 round buttery crackers, crushed
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- 3 tbsps butter, melted
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ tsp table salt
- ¼ tsp ground red pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Vegetable Foundation: Melt butter in a Dutch oven, sauté onions, red bell peppers, and garlic until softened and aromatic, creating a flavor-rich base.
- Sauce Creation: Dust vegetables with flour, then gradually introduce chicken broth, half-and-half, and white wine, whisking to develop a smooth, velvety sauce that thickens and coats the cooking utensil.
- Flavor Enhancement: Blend Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes into the creamy mixture, allowing the cheese to melt completely and infuse the sauce with robust taste.
- Assembly: Gently incorporate tortellini, broccoli florets, and diced chicken into the sauce, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated and distributed evenly throughout the mixture.
- Topping Preparation: Combine remaining Parmesan, butter crackers, pecans, and melted butter to create a crunchy, textured crown for the casserole.
- Baking Process: Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, top with the cracker mixture, and bake for 40-45 minutes until the surface turns golden and edges bubble with appetizing intensity.
- Serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes, letting flavors meld and sauce settle before presenting this comforting, creamy dish.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Sauce Secrets: Whisk constantly while adding liquids to prevent lumps and create a silky-smooth sauce base.
- Topping Technique: Crush butter crackers and pecans into small, even pieces for a perfectly balanced crispy layer.
- Resting Ritual: Allow the casserole to rest after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg