Wow, have I got a recipe for you that tastes like it came straight from that fancy Italian place downtown, but you whip it up faster than ordering takeout! We all crave that decadent, restaurant-quality comfort food, but not always the time commitment or the heavy feeling afterward. That’s exactly why I perfected this lighter twist on the famous ‘Marry Me Chicken’ phenomenon, turning it into the most incredible Creamy Chicken Tortellini.
I still remember the first cold New England evening I tested this recipe. I wanted something creamy and rich, but honestly, not something that weighed me down after a long day. Tortellini felt like the perfect canvas: satisfying, cozy, and full of childhood nostalgia. As the sauce simmered with those rich sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, my kitchen filled with the same inviting aroma that used to drift from my grandmother’s house on chilly nights. When I folded everything together, the dish became exactly what I hoped for: creamy, flavorful, and beautifully balanced.
It’s a joyful reminder that comfort food can be both indulgent and mindful. This recipe is ready in about 30 minutes—perfect for those nights when you need dinner that feels special but is realistically an Easy Weeknight Dinner. Emma Brooks is a Registered Dietitian and Flavor Strategist for Top Chicken Eats. Based in Boston, she brings a fresh perspective to comfort food—showing readers how to enjoy every bite while nourishing the body with balance and flavor.
Why You Will Love This Creamy Chicken Tortellini Recipe
Seriously, who doesn’t want less cleanup? This recipe is a weeknight dream because it hits all the right notes without demanding hours in the kitchen. It’s quick, it’s satisfying, and it’s packed with those deep, savory flavors everyone craves.
- It’s on the table in about 30 minutes total! That makes it perfect for any list of Dinner Ideas Recipes.
- Everything cooks right in one deep skillet, so cleanup is super fast.
- It captures that luxurious, restaurant-quality richness without being overly heavy.
- The combination of tender chicken, cheesy pasta, and that sun-dried tomato sauce is pure comfort in a bowl.
Essential Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Tortellini
When we talk about getting that restaurant vibe at home, it all comes down to using ingredients that pack a punch without a ton of extra effort. For this Creamy Chicken Tortellini, we’re keeping things simple but focusing on high-impact flavor builders like sun-dried tomatoes and good Parmesan. You’ll notice we’re seasoning the chicken really well before it even hits the pan—that’s key for flavor depth later on!
Don’t worry about finding weird specialty items; this list uses pantry staples alongside a few fresh bits that make all the difference. Remember, every ingredient here plays a vital role in achieving that perfectly velvety texture for one of the best kid-friendly dinners!
For the Chicken
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp paprika (I like adding paprika because it gives the chicken such a beautiful initial golden sear and adds a hint of smoky depth!)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Sauce Base
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 1 small onion or 1 shallot, minced
- 1 tbsp flour (This is our little trick to help thicken the sauce naturally, so it clings perfectly to the pasta!)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (Use your discretion here!)
- To taste Salt & pepper
For the Tortellini and Finishing Touches
- 18 oz (500 g) cheese tortellini
- 1 cup fresh spinach (This is totally optional, but it’s a great way to sneak in some greens!)
- As needed Extra Parmesan + basil for serving
Equipment Needed for Perfect Creamy Chicken Tortellini
When you’re aiming for one of those super Easy Weeknight Dinners, using the right pan makes all the difference—especially since we’re keeping the dishes minimal!
For this recipe, having one good, deep skillet is really the star player. It needs to be big enough to handle searing the chicken *and* allowing the tortellini to simmer happily in the cream sauce later on without splashing everywhere.
- Large deep skillet: This is non-negotiable! You need enough surface area to sear the chicken properly, and enough depth to hold the broth and cream without boiling over. A 10 or 12-inch skillet usually works great for this amount.
- A sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife for prepping your chicken, garlic, and shallots.
- Measuring cups and spoons (just the basics!).
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Creamy Chicken Tortellini
Okay, let’s get cooking! Since this is a one-pan wonder and one of my favorite Quick Dinner Ideas Recipes, we move fast, but we don’t rush the important flavor steps. Remember that big skillet we talked about? It’s showtime!
Sear the Seasoned Chicken
Get that olive oil shimmering over medium-high heat. While it warms up, make sure your chicken pieces are well-coated with the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning! Drop the chicken into the hot pan—you should hear a lovely sizzle. Cook everything for about 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until those little chunks are golden brown and totally cooked through. Once they look perfect, take them out and put them on a clean plate nearby.
Build the Flavor Base in the Skillet
Keep the heat down a bit to medium now—we don’t want to burn that gorgeous flavor stuck in the bottom! Toss in your minced onion, garlic, and those chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir these around for 2 to 3 minutes. Trust me, scraping up those little brown bits (that’s called fond, and it’s pure gold!) while you sauté the veggies builds so much depth for our final sauce.
Simmer and Thicken the Cream Sauce
Here’s where things get rich! Sprinkle that tablespoon of flour right over the veggies and tomatoes, stirring fast for about a minute to make a quick paste—that’s a roux, and it prevents lumps. Then, start pouring in the broth really slowly while whisking like mad. Once that’s smooth, pour in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let this simmer gently for about 3 or 4 minutes. You know it’s ready when it thickens just enough that it lightly coats the back of your stirring spoon.
Cook the Tortellini Directly in the Sauce
This is my favorite shortcut! Drop the raw, cheesy tortellini right into that simmering sauce. Stir everything well so those pasta pockets are submerged. They cook right there in the creamy liquid, sucking up all that phenomenal flavor. Let it bubble gently—you’re looking at about 7 to 8 minutes of simmering, but stir it often so nothing sticks to the bottom. If it starts looking like paste instead of pasta sauce, just splash in a tiny bit more chicken broth!
Combine and Finish the Creamy Chicken Tortellini
Time for the final act! Turn the heat low, stir in that grated Parmesan until it melts into a beautiful, glossy sheen. Now, bring the cooked chicken back into the skillet and mix gently. If you’re tossing in that fresh spinach—do it now! Stirring for just one more minute will wilt the greens perfectly. Give it a final taste for salt and pepper, and then dinner is served!
Tips for Success with Your Creamy Chicken Tortellini
Even a quick recipe needs a few little secrets so it turns out tasting like you spent all afternoon on it! Here are my top three tips to guarantee this is one of the best Dinner Dishes you’ve ever made.
First, about that cheese: please use freshly grated Parmesan if you can. The pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that make the sauce gritty instead of smooth and wonderfully velvety. A little extra effort yields a huge payoff here!
Second, if you’re doubling the recipe or using a very wide skillet, be careful not to overcrowd the chicken when searing. If the pan is too full, the chicken steams instead of browning, and you’ll lose that crucial golden crust we need for flavor.
Lastly, keep that broth handy when cooking the tortellini. Cream-based sauces tend to grab onto pasta quickly, so if you see it getting gluey, just splash in a bit more liquid to keep everything moving smoothly and luscious!
Serving Suggestions for This Creamy Dinner
Because this Creamy Chicken Tortellini is so rich and satisfying, you don’t want to overload the side dishes! We’re looking for bright, fresh components to balance that creamy sauce. These ideas make it perfect for any of your go-to Dinner Ideas Recipes.
My absolute favorite way to serve it is alongside a simple, tart arugula salad dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. The peppery bite cuts through the cream beautifully. Alternatively, you absolutely need some good, crusty Italian bread for dipping! You don’t want a single drop of that amazing sauce left behind in the skillet!
Make-Ahead and Storage for Creamy Chicken Tortellini
Good news! This is one of those wonderful dishes that actually tastes great as leftovers, which is perfect for those super Lazy Dinners later in the week. You can absolutely make this ahead of time. Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Just remember that the sauce will tighten up—it gets pretty thick!
When you go to reheat it, put it in a saucepan over medium-low heat. You’ll definitely need to add a splash of liquid, maybe a little extra chicken broth or even just water, to get that beautiful, creamy consistency back. Stir constantly until it’s warmed through and luscious again. Don’t try to blast it in the microwave unless you enjoy chewy pasta!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Easy Weeknight Dinner
I’ve gathered a handful of questions I always get whenever I make this dish for company or just for a cozy night in! People always want to know how to tweak it based on what they have on hand, which is great, because adapting recipes is how we learn to cook better!
Can I use pre-cooked chicken to make this a lazy dinner?
Oh yes, absolutely! That’s the perfect hack for turning this into a genuinely Lazy Dinner. If you use a rotisserie chicken, just skip step one entirely. Shred or cube your pre-cooked meat, and then add it back into the skillet in step five, right when you add the Parmesan cheese. You only need to simmer it for a minute or two—just long enough to heat it through!
How can I make this Creamy Chicken Tortellini recipe budget-friendly for a family?
That’s such an important question, especially when thinking about Cheap Dinners For A Family! The biggest cost saver here is often the tortellini itself. Buy store-brand cheese tortellini rather than the expensive fresh ones; frozen works just fine when simmered in the sauce. Also, skip the spinach if you need to save a few cents, and feel free to bulk up the sauce by adding extra, finely diced zucchini along with your onions. We can adapt these Dinner Dishes for any budget!
What is the best substitute for heavy cream in this sauce?
If you don’t have heavy cream, you can absolutely improvise! Evaporated milk is hands-down my favorite substitute because it has a higher fat content than regular milk, and it generally holds up better to simmering without curdling. Half-and-half works too, but keep the heat on low because it’s more likely to break. If you use either, you might want to let it simmer just a touch longer in step three to get that nice thickness!
Nutritional Estimates for Creamy Chicken Tortellini
Okay, let’s chat quickly about the numbers. Because I’m a Registered Dietitian, I always want you to know what you are putting into your body! While this is definitely a creamy, comfort-food style meal, we designed it to feel satisfying without being overly dense, making it a great option for balanced Healthy Dinner Ideas.
Keep in mind, these figures are just estimates based on the standard measurements listed in the ingredient section above, assuming four equal servings. If you add extra butter or use a different type of cheese, those numbers will shift a bit, so take this as a helpful guide rather than a strict guarantee!
Here is what you can roughly expect for one serving of this delicious Creamy Chicken Tortellini:
- Calories: Approximately 580 – 620 kcal
- Fat: Around 30g – 34g (Much of this fat is healthy fat from the chicken and dairy, but that heavy cream packs some in!)
- Protein: About 40g – 45g (Thanks to that generous amount of chicken breast!)
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 45g – 50g (Mostly from the cheesy tortellini)
It’s a powerhouse of protein dressed up in a cozy, flavor-packed sauce. Enjoy every bite, knowing you’re fueling yourself with great ingredients!
Share Your Creamy Chicken Tortellini Masterpiece
I truly hope you enjoyed making this Creamy Chicken Tortellini as much as I love sharing it! When you try it out, please come back and give it a rating—five stars if you loved it as much as my family does! I want to hear all about your dinner success or any little twists you added. You can reach out anytime on my contact page. Happy cooking!
Creamy Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and sprinkle with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring sometimes, until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced onion, minced garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Do not clean the skillet.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to create a paste. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the uncooked tortellini straight into the skillet. Stir well so every piece is coated. Simmer for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring often. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of broth.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan until it melts and the sauce looks glossy. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything together. Let it simmer for 1 minute to combine the flavors. If you are using spinach, add it now and stir until it wilts.
- Serve the dish immediately topped with extra Parmesan, freshly cracked pepper, and chopped basil.