Description
This One-Pan Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a restaurant-quality, flavor-packed meal that comes together in a single skillet in under 30 minutes. Featuring juicy seared chicken, cheese-filled pasta, and a velvety spicy garlic butter sauce, it is the ultimate quick dinner for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 16 oz package cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, black pepper, and paprika to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil and cook chicken in a single layer until golden-brown, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Create the Flavor Base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 60 seconds until aromatic.
- Simmer the Liquid: Add chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and incorporate flavorful bits.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add uncooked tortellini to the skillet, cover with a lid, and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
- The Final Toss: Stir in Parmesan cheese and baby spinach until the spinach is wilted. Return chicken to the pan and toss gently to coat in the sauce.
- Rest and Garnish: Let rest for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
If the sauce is too thick after cooking, add a splash of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency. For a milder version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes. Freshly grated Parmesan melts much smoother into the sauce than pre-shredded varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4th of dish)
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 115mg