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
Scale
- 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