Description
Elevate dinner with this marry me chicken tortellini, where creamy parmesan sauce meets tender chicken and cheesy pasta. Rich Italian-inspired flavors promise to sweep hearts off their feet, making dinner an irresistible culinary romance you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound cheese tortellini
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Parmesan shavings
Instructions
- Prepare cheese tortellini according to package directions until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Generously season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning blend.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes per side at 165°F internal temperature.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté minced garlic until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes and briefly cook to release their intense flavor, stirring continuously.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, allowing mixture to simmer and slightly reduce for 3-4 minutes.
- Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese into the sauce until completely melted and sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
- Slice chicken into thin strips and return to the skillet.
- Gently fold tortellini into the sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Plate immediately and garnish with additional grated Parmesan and chopped fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
- Choose tortellini carefully to match dietary needs, like whole wheat or gluten-free options for those with restrictions.
- Swap heavy cream for lighter alternatives such as half-and-half or coconut cream to reduce calories and fat content.
- Use plant-based chicken substitutes or tofu for a vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s rich, creamy flavor profile.
- Control sodium levels by selecting low-sodium chicken broth and monitoring added salt during cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 615 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg