Why You’ll Love This Blackstone Chicken Tortellini Dish
What makes this recipe stand out is the blend of creamy ranch flavor, crispy bacon, and cheese-filled pasta all cooked on the versatile Blackstone flat top grill. The griddle’s large cooking surface allows for efficient preparation of a full meal in one go—ideal for busy weeknights, summer cookouts, or family gatherings.
This meal is incredibly versatile and customizable. You can spice it up, sneak in more veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms, or swap the protein with sausage or grilled shrimp.
Cooking Tortellini on the Blackstone Griddle
You might wonder: can you cook tortellini on a flat top grill? Yes, absolutely! The trick is to use thawed (but uncooked) frozen cheese tortellini and a steam method on the griddle to soften them while getting that slight sear for texture. A foil pan or melting dome works wonders to trap steam and evenly cook the pasta.
Step-by-Step Flavor Build
Let’s walk through how this dish builds layers of flavor:
- Start with the bacon. Bacon grease not only crisps beautifully on the Blackstone but also infuses flavor into the rest of the ingredients.
- Brown the chicken. Diced chicken pieces cook quickly and soak up the seasoning and bacon drippings.
- Sauté aromatics and greens. Onion, garlic, and spinach are added next, creating a deliciously fragrant base.
- Add the tortellini. After steaming and flipping, they’re folded into the mixture for that rich, cheesy bite.
- Pour in ranch & cheese. The finishing touch is a creamy ranch dressing and melty mozzarella cheese combo that ties everything together with a creamy coating and satisfying stretch.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Tortellini on the Blackstone Griddle
Essential Ingredients (Do Not Change)
- 8–10 slices of bacon
- 1 (20 oz) bag of frozen cheese tortellini (thawed, not cooked)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 onion, diced
- 5–6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 8 oz fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 (16 oz) bottle of ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ tbsp Old Bay seasoning (or seasoning blend of choice)
- Kosher salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper (to taste)
- Cooking oil (your preferred high-heat oil like avocado or canola)
Blackstone Griddle Setup
Heat your Blackstone griddle to medium heat. You’ll need a flat spatula, a water bottle (for steaming), and a large foil pan or melting dome.
Cooking Instructions
1. Crisp the Bacon: Place the bacon strips on the hot griddle. Cook until golden and crispy on both sides. Remove and chop once cooled. Use paper towels to remove excess grease but leave a thin coating on the surface for flavor.
2. Steam the Tortellini: Spread thawed tortellini on the griddle. Add a splash of water and cover with a foil pan or dome to steam for 2–3 minutes. Flip once and repeat. You want tender tortellini with a bit of golden sear.
3. Sauté Chicken and Onion: Drizzle oil on an open section. Add cubed chicken and diced onion. Season with kosher salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
4. Add Garlic & Spinach: Mix in the minced garlic and chopped spinach. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and the spinach has wilted—about 1–2 minutes.
5. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cooked tortellini and chopped bacon. Mix everything together thoroughly.
6. Finish with Ranch and Cheese: Drizzle ranch dressing evenly across the mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and Old Bay seasoning over the top. Stir until the cheese melts and the entire dish is creamy and heated through.
7. Serve Hot: Once the cheese is gooey and everything is coated, remove from the griddle and serve warm.
Tips & Tricks for Success
- Prep ahead: Have all ingredients chopped and ready to go before heating the griddle.
- Use high-heat oil: Avocado or grapeseed oil prevents sticking and holds up to the heat.
- Don’t skip the steam: The foil pan or melting dome is essential to steam the tortellini evenly.
- Customize the flavor: Add a little buffalo sauce or chipotle ranch for a spicy twist.
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container and reheat on the stove or microwave. Add a splash of ranch or milk to refresh the sauce.
Perfect For Outdoor Cooking
This Blackstone Chicken Bacon Ranch Tortellini is ideal for outdoor griddle cooking, backyard barbecues, camping trips, or tailgates. With minimal cleanup and a huge payoff in flavor, it’s a meal you’ll make again and again.
Whether you’re a Blackstone beginner or seasoned griddle master, this recipe will deliver rave reviews. The combination of cheese, chicken, bacon, and ranch is universally loved—making it the perfect dish for picky eaters and foodies alike.
Quick Recipe Card
Blackstone Chicken Bacon Ranch Tortellini
Description:
A creamy, savory pasta dish cooked right on your Blackstone griddle. Packed with crispy bacon, juicy chicken, cheesy tortellini, and ranch dressing, this hearty dinner is perfect for busy weeknights or family cookouts.
⏱ Duration:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4–6
🛒 Ingredients:
- 8–10 slices bacon
- 1 (20 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini (thawed)
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts (diced)
- 1 onion, diced
- 5–6 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz spinach, chopped
- 1 (16 oz) bottle ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- Kosher salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes
- Cooking oil
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Cook bacon on griddle until crispy. Remove and chop.
- Steam thawed tortellini on the griddle using a foil pan and water.
- Sauté chicken and onion with seasoning until cooked through.
- Add spinach and garlic. Sauté briefly.
- Mix in tortellini and bacon.
- Pour ranch dressing, sprinkle cheese and Old Bay seasoning. Stir to melt cheese and coat evenly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!