What Sauce Goes with Chicken Tortellini? (14 Sauces)

Chicken tortellini is a delicious and easy dish to make, but it can sometimes be a little bland on its own.

That’s where sauces come in!

A good sauce can take any dish from meh to amazing.

So if you’re looking for some inspiration for what sauces to serve with chicken tortellini, then you’ve come to the right place.

I’m sharing 14 of my favorite sauces that go great with chicken tortellini, including Alfredo sauce, marinara sauce, pesto sauce, and more.

What Sauce Goes with Chicken Tortellini?

When looking for a sauce to pair with chicken tortellini, you’ll want to find something that complements the flavors of the dish without overpowering them. A light Alfredo or cream sauce is a good option, as is a tomato-based sauce with herbs like basil or oregano. If you’re looking for something a little heartier, a meat-based sauce like Bolognese would be a good choice.

Still looking for ideas?

Then simply keep scrolling!

1. BBQ Sauce

BBQ is known for its sweet and smoky flavors, which makes it a perfect pairing for chicken tortellini.

I like to add a bit of spice to my BBQ sauce by including a diced jalapeño pepper, but you could leave that out if you prefer.

Another way to make this sauce your own is to experiment with the type of vinegar you use.

I typically use apple cider vinegar, but white vinegar or even balsamic vinegar would work well too.

2. Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri has a bright green color and a fresh, herbal flavor that goes well with chicken tortellini.

This Argentinean sauce is traditionally made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and red pepper flakes, but you can easily tailor it to your own taste.

If you want more of a kick, add more red pepper flakes.

If you’re not a fan of parsley, substitute in cilantro or another fresh herb.

You could also experiment with different types of vinegar — I like to use apple cider vinegar because it has a bit of sweetness.

3. Au Jus (no drippings necessary)

If you want to get a little fancy tonight, ditch the jarred sauce and make your own au jus to go with your chicken tortellini.

It’s actually really easy to do, and you probably have all the ingredients you need already in your pantry.

All you need is beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and a few other seasonings.

The best part about making your own sauces is that you can adjust them to suit your taste.

So if you like it a little sweeter, add a touch more balsamic vinegar. Or if you want it saltier, up the soy sauce. You get the idea!

4. Creamy Horseradish Sauce

If horseradish is your cup of tea, this is the sauce for you.

It’s rich and creamy, with just a bit of heat from the horseradish.

I like to add a touch of lemon juice to brighten it up, but you could also add some chopped fresh herbs if you’d like.

This sauce is great with chicken tortellini, but it would also be delicious with beef or pork.

5. Marinara Sauce

Marinara is a classic tomato-based sauce that goes well with all sorts of pasta, but it’s especially good with chicken tortellini.

I like to make my own marinara sauce because it’s so easy and I can control the ingredients, but you could definitely use a store-bought sauce in a pinch.

The great thing about marinara is that it’s very versatile and you can easily add your own spin to it.

For example, you could throw in some sautéed veggies, like mushrooms or zucchini.

Or, if you want a bit more of a kick, you could add some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.

6. Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo is thick, creamy, and loaded with flavor, making it the perfect sauce for chicken tortellini.

I like to add a bit of garlic to my Alfredo sauce, but you could also add in some sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.

If you want a truly decadent dish, top your tortellini with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil before serving.

7. Pesto Sauce

Pesto has a strong flavor, so a little goes a long way.

I like to use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tortellini, but you could also use it as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.

If you want to make your own pesto, it’s really easy!

Just combine fresh basil leaves, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

You can add more or less of any ingredient to taste.

8. Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce

If you want a little spice in your life, this Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce is the perfect accompaniment to chicken tortellini.

I like to use crushed red pepper flakes to give it a little heat, but you could also use diced jalapeños or even a dash of cayenne pepper.

The other ingredients are pretty straightforward: tomatoes, cream, garlic, and onion.

I like to add a bit of chopped fresh basil for flavor, but that’s optional.

This sauce comes together quickly and can be made in advance so it’s ready when you need it.

9. Garlic Butter Sauce

If simplicity is what you’re after, a garlic butter sauce is the way to go.

It takes less than 10 minutes to make and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

But don’t let the short ingredient list fool you — this sauce is packed with flavor.

I like to use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tortellini, but it would also be great on grilled chicken or fish, mixed into pasta, or even just spread on some good bread.

To make it your own, try adding in some other herbs or spices.

A bit of red pepper flakes would be nice if you like things spicy, or some chopped fresh parsley for a bit of brightness.

10. Creamy Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Creamy, lemony, and garlicky, this sauce is the perfect accompaniment to chicken tortellini.

I like to add a bit of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, but you could leave that out if you prefer.

This sauce comes together quickly and easily, and can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to use it.

Leftover sauce can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

11. Cheese Sauce

I don’t know about you, but I love cheese sauce.

It’s rich, creamy, and goes so well with chicken tortellini.

To make this sauce your own, try adding in some different spices or herbs.

I like to add a bit of garlic powder and onion powder to mine.

You could also try adding in some chopped fresh parsley or basil for a bit of color and flavor.

12. Bolognese Sauce

Bolognese is nice if you want a filling sauce that will really stick to your tortellini.

This thick, meaty sauce is traditionally made with beef, but you could easily substitute in ground chicken or turkey.

I like to add a bit of chorizo for extra flavor, but that’s optional.

The key to a good Bolognese is to let it simmer for a long time so the flavors have a chance to develop.

I usually start it in the morning and let it cook all day while I’m doing other things around the house.

13. Gorgonzola Sauce

Gorgonzola has a strong flavor, so a little goes a long way.

I like to use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tortellini, but you could also use it as a topping for baked pasta dishes or even pizza.

If you want to tone down the flavor of the Gorgonzola, you can add some cream cheese or sour cream to the sauce.

You can also add in some chopped herbs, like chives or parsley, for a bit of color and freshness.

14. Mushroom Sauce

This has been one of my favorite sauces since I was a little kid.

My mom would make it with chicken and chorizo tortellini, and I would always ask for seconds.

Nowadays, I like to add a bit of thyme to the sauce for extra flavor, but you can really use any herb you like.

If you want a bit more of a kick, you could also add some red pepper flakes.

The key to this sauce is to cook the mushrooms until they’re nice and browned.

They should almost be caramelized.