Chicken Tortellinirn

a close up shot of Chicken Tortellini on a plate

This delicious chicken tortellini pasta recipe is loaded with juicy chicken and fresh broccoli, and smothered in a creamy sauce.

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Table of Contents

Chicken Tortellini Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Chicken Tortellini Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Sometimes you just need good old-fashioned comfort food, and this chicken tortellini fits the bill. The cheesy tortellini pasta is saucy and flavorful and is mixed with fresh broccoli and tender bites of chicken cooked to perfection.

overhead shot of Chicken Tortellini on a plate

Chicken Tortellini Ingredients

Chicken Tortellini raw ingredients that are labeled

When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a hearty plate of delicious chicken tortellini.

The tender, cheesy tortellini complement the bold flavor of the creamy sauce perfectly.

The addition of juicy pieces of chicken adds an extra level of satisfaction to each bite.

You’ll need:

1 pound package of four cheese tortellini
3 cups of fresh broccoli florets, trimmed to bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 pound (2 large) of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
½ cup of yellow onion, small diced
1½ tablespoons of fresh garlic, minced
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper
¼ cup of all-purpose flour
2 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of heavy cream
1½ cups of shredded three-cheese blend (Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago), divided into 1 cup and ½ cup

Substitutions And Additions

TORTELLINI: You can use fresh or frozen cheese-filled tortellini pasta for this recipe.

You will just need to follow the cooking directions according to your brand of pasta.

BROCCOLI: I like to buy bags of pre-cut broccoli florets in my produce section.

You can certainly cut the florets off of a small head of broccoli as well.

While frozen broccoli can work the texture is often too mushy. If you do use frozen broccoli, prepare according to package directions prior to adding to this recipe.

I prefer to use fresh broccoli florets as much as possible.

CHEESE: While I used a three-cheese blend of shredded hard cheeses, you can certainly use all parmesan cheese or even a pecorino romano in this pasta recipe.

SAUCE: We have made a modified Alfredo sauce for this recipe.

If you really want to make this a 15-minute meal, you can use your favorite jarred alfredo sauce that is thinned with chicken broth.

You will need a total of about three to four cups of sauce.

How To Make This Chicken Tortellini Recipe

The tortellini and broccoli are cooked in the same pot, making clean-up easier. While they are cooking, you can make the sauce on the stovetop before tossing the ingredients together to make this easy dish.

STEP ONE: Boil the four cheese tortellini in a large stock pot according to the package directions.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Don’t forget to add salt to the water. It adds flavor to the pasta while cooking.

STEP TWO: During the last two minutes of boiling, add the fresh broccoli florets to the pot of boiling tortellini. Drain the cooked pasta and broccoli florets. Set aside.

broccoli added to the pot of boiling tortellini

STEP THREE: In a large skillet, on medium-high heat, add the olive oil and chicken pieces.

Cook for six to eight minutes or until the chicken pieces are cooked through and have some golden brown color to them.

chicken cooked in a skillet for 6-8 minute

STEP FOUR: Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate while you make the sauce.

STEP FIVE: In the same skillet, with the heat lowered to medium, add the unsalted butter, chopped onion, fresh minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Saute the onion and spices for one minute or until they are soft and fragrant.

STEP SIX: Whisk the flour into the butter until all the flour has been absorbed.

STEP SEVEN: Slowly pour the chicken broth into the skillet.

Be sure you are constantly whisking to remove all lumps from the sauce.

STEP EIGHT: Whisk the heavy cream into the sauce.

Allow the sauce to bubble and simmer for three to five minutes to thicken the sauce.

STEP NINE: Whisk one cup of the shredded three-cheese blend into the sauce.

shredded three cheese blend whisked into the sauce

STEP TEN: Turn off the heat to the skillet and return the browned chicken pieces to the skillet along with the tortellini cheese pasta and broccoli florets.

STEP ELEVEN: Stir to coat all the pasta, chicken, and broccoli with the sauce.

PRO TIP:

When combining the ingredients with the tortellini, make sure to stir carefully to ensure the pasta pockets don’t get broken.

STEP TWELVE: Garnish the skillet of chicken broccoli tortellini with the remaining ½ cup of the three-cheese blend.

PRO TIP:

This chicken broccoli tortellini should be served while it is hot. As this dish cools, the pasta sauce will thicken.

three cheese blend garnish on top of the Chicken Tortellini

How To Serve

This rich and creamy dish is the perfect choice for an easy dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

Add a buttery loaf of garlic bread or cheesy pull-apart bread to mop up the creamy sauce.

A simple Caesar salad or roasted vegetables on the side will turn this pasta into a complete meal.

If you are looking for a few more easy recipes to make on busy weeknights, check out our creamy garlic pasta and baked tortellini.

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Storage

We’ve got some handy storage tips to keep your delicious creation fresh and ready to enjoy.

MAKE AHEAD: After cooking and combining these flavorful components, let them cool to room temperature.

Then, store the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave and toss it with your favorite sauce for a convenient meal prep option.

IN THE FRIDGE: You can store leftover chicken broccoli tortellini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

IN THE FREEZER: I do not suggest freezing, as the creamy parmesan sauce tends to separate once it has been frozen and then thawed.

REHEATING: If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works well.

Simply place your desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover it loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s heated through.

On the stovetop, warm the tortellini over low to medium heat in a saucepan, adding a bit of broth or water to maintain creaminess and stirring occasionally until it’s hot.

Whether you choose the microwave or stovetop, remember to give it a good stir to evenly distribute the sauce and flavors.

Why We Love This Recipe

QUICK AND EASY: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table in no time. It’s simple to prepare and doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.

CREAMY AND FLAVORFUL: The creamy sauce combined with tender chicken and cheesy tortellini creates a flavor-packed dish that’s both comforting and satisfying.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Kids and adults alike will love the comforting and familiar flavors of this tortellini. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a family favorite in no time.

a close up shot of Chicken Tortellini on a skillet with a fork grabbing a piece

Easy to make and customize, this tasty chicken tortellini pasta dish is a guaranteed winner. You will love both how easy it is to make and how delicious it tastes. Add a few more veggies or change up the type of tortellini you use, and you’ll have an entirely new meal.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What other fresh vegetables could I use in place of broccoli?

This popular recipe could be made using asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, or cauliflower, in place of broccoli.

Should I use cheese or meat tortellini for this chicken tortellini in cream sauce recipe?

This easy tortellini recipe would be delicious with either type of tortellini.

Could I use a different stuffed pasta for this cheesy chicken tortellini alfredo recipe?

Instead of the tortellini, you could use meat or cheese ravioli.

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