Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting one-pot Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breast, cheese-filled tortellini, and a rich garlic parmesan sauce. Ideal for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, this flavorful recipe balances savory, cheesy goodness with ease and speed of preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken breast and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add Cream and Broth: Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Tortellini: Add tortellini to the skillet, cover, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Melt Cheeses: Stir in grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses until completely melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Finish: Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce and pasta. Simmer together for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk mixed with Greek yogurt for heavy cream.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free tortellini for dietary adaptations.
- Low-sodium chicken broth and unsalted cheeses help reduce salt content.
- To reheat leftovers, warm gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition.
- This dish holds well for 3-4 days refrigerated in airtight containers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini, creamy chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, Italian comfort food, weeknight dinner
