One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe in 30 Minutes

Weeknight dinners often call for meals that balance speed, flavor, and comfort. The One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini checks all the boxes. It combines tender chicken pieces, pillowy cheese tortellini, and a rich garlic butter sauce with a fiery kick. The best part? You only need one pot and about 30 minutes to bring it all together.

This dish offers a satisfying mix of creamy, cheesy pasta and bold spice that makes it stand out from traditional pasta recipes. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, it will quickly become a go-to favorite for both flavor and convenience.

Ingredients

This recipe serves 4–6 people.

For the Chicken:

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Sauce and Pasta:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• ½ cup chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp hot sauce (such as sriracha or your preferred brand)

• 20 oz (570 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)

• ½ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Season chicken pieces with smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

3. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Garlic Butter Base

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.

2. Add butter and allow it to melt.

3. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Create the Sauce

1. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

2. Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and hot sauce.

3. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.

Step 4: Cook the Tortellini

1. Add the cheese tortellini directly into the sauce.

2. Stir well and cover the skillet. Let the tortellini simmer for 6–8 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.

3. If the sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

1. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.

2. Simmer for 2 minutes to reheat the chicken and blend flavors.

3. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Conservation and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Not recommended, as tortellini may lose texture and cream sauce can separate.

• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore sauce consistency. Microwave on medium heat in short intervals if reheating individual portions.

Variations

1. Protein Swaps: Use shrimp, Italian sausage, or even rotisserie chicken instead of fresh chicken breast.

2. Vegetable Add-Ins: Toss in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.

3. Cheese Options: Swap Parmesan for Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a sharper taste.

4. Milder Version: Reduce or omit cayenne, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes for a creamy garlic butter tortellini without the heat.

5. Extra Creamy: Stir in cream cheese or mascarpone for a richer sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread to balance the richness.

• Pair with roasted vegetables such as broccoli or asparagus.

• Complement with a light, citrusy white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

• For gatherings, present in a large skillet or serving bowl for family-style dining.

Conclusion

The One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a dish that proves comfort food can be quick, flavorful, and elegant. With its tender chicken, cheesy pasta, and bold garlicky sauce, it satisfies both cravings for indulgence and the need for efficiency in the kitchen.

This recipe is versatile, allowing you to adjust the spice, add vegetables, or swap proteins without losing its charm. Whether served on a busy weeknight or at a casual dinner party, it guarantees a meal full of flavor and warmth. One pot, minimal cleanup, and maximum taste—that’s the power of this irresistible recipe.

One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini

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• Author: Eleanor
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

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Description

A quick and flavorful one-pot meal combining juicy chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a rich spicy garlic butter sauce. Perfect for weeknights, this dish is creamy, indulgent, and ready in just 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Sauce and Pasta:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• ½ cup chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp hot sauce (such as sriracha)

• 20 oz (570 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)

• ½ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

See also  Hainanese Chicken Rice: A Flavorful Delight That Awaits

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Instructions

1. Season Chicken: Coat chicken with smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. Make Garlic Butter Base: Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter, add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté 30 seconds.

4. Build Sauce: Add chicken broth, scrape pan, then stir in cream, Parmesan, lemon juice/zest, and hot sauce. Cook 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.

5. Cook Tortellini: Add tortellini directly into sauce. Cover and simmer 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add pasta water if sauce gets too thick.

6. Combine and Serve: Return chicken, toss to coat. Simmer 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

• Adjust spice level by increasing or reducing cayenne, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes.

• Use shrimp, sausage, or rotisserie chicken instead of chicken breast for variety.

• Add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers for extra nutrition.

• Stir in mascarpone or cream cheese for a creamier finish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Pasta
• Method: One-Pot, Stovetop
• Cuisine: American Fusion, Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl (¼–⅙ of recipe)
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg

Keywords: one-pot spicy garlic butter chicken tortellini, garlic butter chicken tortellini, spicy chicken pasta