Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini (Print Version)
Chicken and tortellini in spicy garlic-butter sauce with cream, finished with Parmesan, all in one pot.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Sauce
01 - 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, diced
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
05 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Tortellini & Liquid
06 - 9 ounces refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
07 - 2 cups chicken broth
08 - 0.5 cup heavy cream or whole milk (optional, for creaminess)
09 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
# Steps to Follow:
01 - In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.
02 - Add the diced chicken to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Pour in the chicken broth and, if using, the heavy cream or milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the tortellini and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, about 6–8 minutes.
04 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Quick weeknight dinner that is ready in about half an hour
- Only one pot to wash at the end
- Creamy spicy garlicky sauce that clings to pillowy tortellini
- Flexible ingredients for dietary tweaks or extra veggies
02 -
- Family favorite that saves time on cleanup
- Great for using up leftover cooked veggies
- Protein packed and comforting all year round
03 -
- Toasting the garlic gently without browning unlocks the best flavor
- If you want an extra punch of spice add a sprinkle of red pepper on top before serving
- Always finish with a little extra Parmesan and a drizzle of the cooking butter for glossy irresistible sauce