Description
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken breasts, cheese tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh baby spinach in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect comforting dinner that’s both easy and impressive.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Black pepper, to taste
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
- Butter, for sautéing (about 1 tablespoon)
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach
Sauces and Broth
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning, to taste (additional)
- Black pepper, to taste (additional)
- Paprika, to taste (additional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Generously season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Set them aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook until they develop a golden brown crust on both sides, about 6–8 minutes total. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: Reduce the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, melt butter, then add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and heavy cream. Add Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika to taste. Whisk the mixture in the skillet and cook it until it begins bubbling gently.
- Melt Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the finely shredded Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Add chopped baby spinach and the frozen cheese tortellini. Stir occasionally and cook everything together for about 5 minutes until the tortellini is heated through and the spinach is wilted.
Notes
- For an extra kick, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Tortellini can be substituted with other filled pastas or gnocchi.
- If using sundried tomatoes packed in oil, reduce or omit additional olive oil.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor, but pre-grated works in a pinch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
