Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini Recipe
A creamy and flavorful Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini recipe featuring tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and crisp broccoli tossed in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce. This easy skillet dish combines sautéed chicken and garlic with a luscious cream sauce for a comforting weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Tortellini
- 12 ounces cheese tortellini
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken and Tortellini: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package directions, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until fully cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Broccoli: Lower heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the broccoli florets and cook until they turn bright green and are tender-crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. If the sauce appears too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Season and Return Chicken: Add Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, stirring well to coat them in the creamy sauce.
- Combine Tortellini and Serve: Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and gently toss everything together to heat through evenly. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute broccoli with spinach or asparagus for a different vegetable twist.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it thickens too much.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Tortellini recipe, creamy chicken pasta, easy skillet meal, broccoli pasta, Italian dinner
