Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini Chicken (Printable version)
Tortellini in a garlic-parmesan cream with seared chicken and tender broccoli—comfort in under 40 minutes.
# What you need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 ounces), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Pasta
02 - 18 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
→ Vegetables
03 - 2 cups broccoli florets (about 7 ounces)
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Dairy
05 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
06 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Pantry
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
11 - Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How To:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package directions, adding broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and black pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a clean plate and reserve.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
05 - Lower the heat to medium. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring to incorporate. Bring to a gentle simmer, then sprinkle in Parmesan cheese. Stir continually until cheese melts and sauce has thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Add the drained tortellini, broccoli, and cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat all ingredients with the creamy sauce. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Remove from heat.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The rich parmesan cream hugs every morsel for ultimate comfort and flavor
- One skillet brings chicken, tortellini, and broccoli together in under an hour
02 -
- If you overcook the tortellini, it turns limp and won't hold the sauce—timing matters.
- Adding broccoli in at the end of boiling preserves both crunch and color, transforming the whole plate.
03 -
- Have all ingredients prepped before you start—the pace picks up once the sauce is on.
- Let the parmesan melt slowly into the cream for a velvety, lump-free finish.