Description
This one-pot spicy garlic butter chicken tortellini is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor. Tender chicken is seared in garlic butter, tossed with cheese-filled tortellini, and finished in a silky, slightly spicy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium), cut into bite-sized cubes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the sauce & pasta:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated recommended)
1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional garnish:
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Extra Parmesan cheese
Pinch of chili flakes
Instructions
Season and Cook the Chicken
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Make the Garlic Butter Base
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Create the Sauce
Sprinkle in flour, whisk for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and cream. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, and more red pepper flakes if desired. Adjust seasoning.
Cook the Tortellini
Add tortellini directly into the sauce. Cover and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
Combine and Finish
Return chicken to skillet, stir well, and simmer 2–3 minutes. Add more broth if sauce is too thick.
Serve
Garnish with parsley, basil, or extra Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Use fresh, refrigerated tortellini for the best texture.
Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-grated.
If reheating, add a splash of cream or broth to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: One-pot / Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
Keywords: one-pot spicy garlic butter chicken tortellini, creamy chicken pasta, garlic butter tortellini