Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli is a delicious and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken pieces, cheesy tortellini, and fresh broccoli florets all coated in a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Vegetables
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package directions, adding broccoli florets in the last 2–3 minutes of cooking. Drain the tortellini and broccoli and set aside.
- Cooking Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken pieces until golden brown and no longer pink inside, approximately 5–7 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet, leaving the flavorful browned bits (fond) in the pan.
- Making the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Whisk in the softened cream cheese until the sauce is smooth and silky.
- Season the Sauce: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes to the sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained tortellini and broccoli florets. Gently toss everything together to coat the ingredients evenly with the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
- Serving: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or basil and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to better control the salt levels in the dish.
- Fresh garlic is preferred for more intense and fresh flavor.
- Fresh or frozen tortellini can be used; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Do not overcook the broccoli to maintain its bright color and slight crunch.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier texture.
- Optional red pepper flakes add a mild spicy kick; omit if sensitive to spice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini, Chicken Tortellini, Broccoli Pasta, One-Pan Dinner, Creamy Chicken Pasta
