Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli is a rich and comforting pasta dish packed with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and cheese tortellini, all coated in a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal that feels indulgent yet straightforward to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets (steamed or cooked)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain the tortellini and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, to slightly thicken the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Combine: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes smooth. Return the cooked tortellini, chicken, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together gently and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve the creamy tortellini hot.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Steaming the broccoli ahead of time ensures it stays bright green and crisp-tender when mixed in.
- You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time; just add it during the sauce combining step.
- Frozen tortellini may require a slightly longer cooking time than fresh; follow package instructions carefully.
- Adding a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce can enhance the flavor profile of the creamy sauce.
