Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is your answer to a weeknight dinner that feels truly special, offering a creamy, decadent, and surprisingly simple pasta experience that will have everyone asking for seconds. This dish perfectly captures the indulgent flavors of “marry me” chicken but in a comforting, fuss-free tortellini format.
Key Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Tortellini:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, (packed in oil), drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 bag (13-15 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- Optional garnish: Red pepper flakes, extra Parmesan cheese, fresh basil
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini:
Get ready for a flavor explosion with this incredibly easy Marry Me Chicken Tortellini! In under 30 minutes, you’ll be savoring a luxuriously creamy sauce enveloping tender chicken and perfectly cooked tortellini. Its simplicity makes it an ideal dish for busy evenings, while its rich taste and satisfying texture are sure to impress.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Sear the Chicken:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, leaving any drippings in the pan.
Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze:
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer and reduce slightly for 1-2 minutes.
Create the Creamy Sauce:
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce begins to thicken. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir to combine.
Cook the Tortellini:
While the sauce simmers, cook the refrigerated cheese tortellini according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling salted water. Drain the tortellini well once cooked.
Combine and Finish:
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and gently toss everything together until the tortellini and chicken are well coated in the sauce.
Serve:
Serve the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini immediately. Garnish with optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, extra Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh basil.
Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini:
You’ll absolutely adore this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini because it delivers that irresistible, creamy, and comforting flavor profile that makes “marry me” dishes so popular, but in a fraction of the time and effort. The star here is the luscious, velvety sauce, infused with the sweet tang of sun-dried tomatoes and the savory depth of Parmesan, clinging perfectly to each bite of tender chicken and cheesy tortellini. It’s a true taste of indulgence without the restaurant price tag, making it an incredibly cost-effective way to treat yourself and your loved ones.
Unlike a more involved “marry me chicken” recipe that might require multiple steps, this tortellini version is a weeknight warrior, ready in about 30 minutes, allowing you more time to bask in the deliciousness and less time in the kitchen. The addition of sun-dried tomatoes adds a delightful burst of concentrated flavor that elevates the dish beyond a simple cream sauce, while the fresh basil provides a bright, aromatic contrast. If you’re looking for a dish that’s both incredibly satisfying and remarkably easy to prepare, this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is your new go-to. Prepare to fall in love with dinner all over again!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Storing Leftovers:
Allow the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce may thicken slightly as it cools, which is perfectly normal.
Reheating:
To reheat on the stovetop, place the desired portion in a skillet over low to medium heat. Add a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and ensure it doesn’t dry out. Stir gently until heated through.
For microwave reheating, place the tortellini in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until warmed through. Add a little liquid if the sauce seems too thick.
Freezing Directions:
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, it can be frozen for future meals. Prepare and cool the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini as usual. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the stovetop or microwave methods described above. Note that the texture of the tortellini and sauce might alter slightly after freezing.
Final Thoughts:
This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a testament to simple ingredients creating extraordinary flavor, offering a comforting and elegant meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Give it a try and prepare to be amazed by how easily you can create such a delightful pasta dish at home!
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, leaving any drippings in the pan.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer and reduce slightly for 1-2 minutes.4 cloves garlic, minced, 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce begins to thicken. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir to combine.1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, (packed in oil), drained and chopped
- Cook the refrigerated cheese tortellini according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling salted water. Drain the tortellini well once cooked.1 bag (13-15 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and gently toss everything together until the tortellini and chicken are well coated in the sauce.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, 1 bag (13-15 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- Serve the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini immediately. Garnish with optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, extra Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh basil.