Description

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting dish that combines tender chicken breast, cheesy tortellini, and fresh broccoli in a luscious garlic-Parmesan sauce. This easy-to-make meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and delivers rich flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Pasta

2 cups cheese tortellini
1 lb chicken breast, cut into cubes

Vegetables

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

Sauce Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook cheese tortellini according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 3-5 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the tortellini. Set aside.
Prepare Broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn bright green and are crisp-tender. Immediately transfer them to an ice water bath to stop further cooking. Drain and set aside.
Sear Chicken: Season the cubed chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and fully cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly to combine evenly.
Add Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach desired consistency.
Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained tortellini and steamed broccoli. Gently toss the ingredients together so everything is coated evenly with the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. Serve immediately, optionally with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Notes

Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and creaminess.
To save time, use store-bought pre-cooked tortellini, but adjust cooking according to package instructions.
If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half the heavy cream with milk or use a lower-fat cream option.
Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic while sautéing can give the dish a subtle kick.
Make sure not to overcook the broccoli to maintain its bright color and crunch.
Reserve pasta water contains starch which helps the sauce stick to the pasta better; don’t forget to save some before draining.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Searing, Boiling, Steaming
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 480
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 380mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini, creamy pasta, chicken and broccoli, Italian dinner, easy weeknight recipe