Description
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini is a comforting dish featuring tender tortellini in a creamy garlic sauce with juicy chicken. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights, delivering gourmet flavors right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces cheese tortellini
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 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
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. This adds flavor right from the start. Make sure to coat them evenly and set them aside for about 5 minutes to absorb the seasoning.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the tortellini according to package directions. Usually, this takes about 3-5 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining to help adjust the sauce later.
- While the tortellini cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken. Sear for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant—don’t let it burn! Burning garlic can turn the flavor bitter.
- Add the broccoli florets to the skillet, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
- Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens, stirring occasionally. The sauce should begin to bubble gently.
- Gradually whisk in 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the creamy sauce.
- Finally, add the drained tortellini to the skillet. Toss gently to combine everything, ensuring each piece of tortellini is coated in the sauce. Heat through for about 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh touch on top. Enjoy your meal hot!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: For a lighter option, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with Greek yogurt. Make sure to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting quality.