Creamy Tortellini & Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe

Comfort meets culinary creativity in this delightful tortellini and chicken divan bake that combines classic flavors with a modern twist.

Cheesy, creamy, and packed with tender pasta and succulent chicken, this dish promises to be a weeknight winner.

Layers of rich ingredients meld together in a harmonious blend that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of protein and pasta, swimming in a luxurious sauce that hints at home-cooked comfort.

Broccoli adds a vibrant green crunch, bringing both nutrition and color to the plate.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this irresistible bake and experience a dinner that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 553 kcal

Servings: 7

Key Ingredients in Tortellini & Chicken Divan Bake

• Butter: Adds rich, velvety texture and deep flavor to the sauce.
• Sweet Onion: Provides a gentle, sweet aromatic foundation for the dish.
• Red Bell Pepper: Brings vibrant color and mild, sweet crunch to the sauce.
• Garlic: Infuses intense, bold flavor that elevates the entire casserole.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken and bind the sauce smoothly.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a savory liquid base with depth of flavor.
• Half-And-Half: Delivers luxurious creaminess and silky consistency.
• Dry White Wine: Introduces complex, tangy undertones to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty umami character to the sauce.
• Table Salt: Enhances and balances overall seasoning.
• Ground Red Pepper: Adds subtle, warming heat and complexity.

• Cheese-And-Spinach Tortellini: Provides delightful stuffed pasta with built-in cheesy goodness.
• Fresh Broccoli: Contributes crisp texture and nutritious green element.
• Cooked Chicken: Delivers hearty protein and substantial main ingredient.

• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Creates golden, crispy top layer with intense flavor.
• Buttery Crackers: Adds irresistible crisp texture and buttery notes.
• Pecans: Brings nutty crunch and rich, toasted undertones.
• Melted Butter: Helps topping achieve perfect golden-brown finish.

Cooking Tools Required for Divan Bake

• Dutch oven: Large, heavy pot perfect for making creamy sauce and sautéing vegetables.
• Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending sauce ingredients and preventing lumps.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, red bell pepper, and chicken.
• Chef's knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable and chicken cutting.
• 13×9-inch baking dish: Ideal size for assembling and baking the casserole.
• Small mixing bowl: Used for preparing the crispy topping mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients.

Instructions for Chicken Divan Tortellini Bake

• Oven Warmup

Crank up the oven to get it toasty and ready for our delicious creation.

• Flavor Foundation

Melt butter in a big pot and dance some chopped veggies around until they’re soft and fragrant. Sprinkle in flour to create a silky base, then pour in liquids slowly while whisking.

• Creamy Blend

Stir in cheese and spices to transform the sauce into a rich, velvety mixture. Fold in tender chicken chunks, soft tortellini, and bright green broccoli until everything is luxuriously coated.

• Crunchy Crown

Mix up a crispy topping with nutty pecans, cheesy Parmesan, and buttery cracker crumbs. Scatter this golden mixture across the casserole like a delicious blanket.

• Bake and Savor

Slide the casserole into the hot oven and let magic happen. Watch as it bubbles and turns a gorgeous golden brown. Pull it out, let it rest for a few moments, then dive into this comforting meal that hugs your taste buds.

Divan Bake Enhancements & Tips

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Cheese Swap Magic: Replace Parmesan with sharp cheddar or gruyere for a different flavor profile that adds richness and depth to the dish.
• Protein Flexibility: Substitute chicken with turkey, shrimp, or keep it vegetarian by using tofu or additional roasted vegetables for a protein-packed alternative.
• Crunch Factor Boost: Experiment with different crispy toppings like panko breadcrumbs, crushed pretzel chips, or toasted sunflower seeds to add extra texture and crunch.
• Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

Serving the Tortellini Divan Delightfully

• Flavor-Packed Sidekicks: Serve this creamy tortellini bake alongside a crisp garden salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy dish.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the white wine in the sauce with a glass of chardonnay or pinot grigio, enhancing the meal's sophisticated flavors.
• Fresh Finish: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives just before serving to add a bright, herbal note and a pop of green color to the golden-brown casserole.
• Bread Buddy: Add a side of crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up the delicious, creamy sauce and complete the comforting meal.

Planning for Leftover Divan Bake Meals

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover Tortellini & Chicken Divan Bake in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Portion the casserole into individual servings before freezing. Wrap each portion in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place in freezer-safe containers. Will keep perfectly for up to 3 months.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying.
• Freshness Window: Refrigerated casserole stays delicious for 3-4 days. Always use clean utensils when serving to prevent bacterial contamination and maintain optimal taste quality.

Creamy Tortellini & Chicken Divan Bake

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy tortellini and chicken divan bake combines classic comfort with Italian-inspired elegance. Home chefs can enjoy this hearty casserole that delivers rich flavors and satisfying textures you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 (20 oz / 567 g) package refrigerated cheese-and-spinach tortellini
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups half-and-half
• 4 cups chopped fresh broccoli
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup (4 oz / 113 g) freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ½ cup chopped sweet onion
• ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 3 tbsps butter, melted
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 15 round buttery crackers, crushed
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ tsp table salt
• ¼ tsp ground red pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F with rack centered for even heat distribution.
2. Sauce Foundation: In a Dutch oven, melt butter and sauté onions, red bell peppers, and garlic until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their essential aromatics.
3. Roux Development: Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to eliminate raw flour taste and create a smooth base for the sauce.
4. Liquid Integration: Gradually whisk in chicken broth, half-and-half, and white wine, creating a silky, lump-free sauce that develops rich complexity.
5. Sauce Refinement: Simmer until thickened, then remove from heat and incorporate Parmesan cheese and ground red pepper, adding depth and subtle warmth.
6. Ingredient Harmony: Fold tortellini, broccoli florets, and chicken into the sauce, ensuring complete coating and flavor integration.
7. Casserole Assembly: Transfer the mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly to create a consistent layer.
8. Crispy Topping: Combine Parmesan cheese, crushed crackers, chopped pecans, and melted butter to create a crunchy, golden-brown crown for the casserole.
9. Baking Process: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns golden and edges bubble, signaling perfect doneness and flavor melding.
10. Serving Preparation: Allow the casserole to rest briefly after removing from oven, enabling flavors to settle and sauce to stabilize before serving.

Notes

• Prep Sauce Strategically: Develop a smooth, lump-free sauce by whisking constantly and adding liquids gradually to prevent separation.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast flour briefly in the vegetable mixture to eliminate raw taste and build a rich, complex foundation for the dish.
• Prevent Overcooking Vegetables: Add broccoli florets carefully to maintain their bright color and crisp texture during the final baking process.
• Cracker Topping Tip: Crush crackers to medium-fine consistency for the perfect balance between crunch and even coverage on the casserole surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 553
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 735 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 109 mg