Description
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting one-skillet dinner featuring tender chicken breast pieces cooked with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce, tossed with cheese tortellini and fresh spinach for a romantic and satisfying meal ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1 19 oz bag frozen cheese tortellini, pre-boiled until just tender
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley
- Extra grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Build the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and melt butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika. Stir and let the sauce simmer gently. Slowly whisk in parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the chopped baby spinach and the pre-cooked cheese tortellini. Gently stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the pasta to heat through. Turn off the heat and let the sauce rest for 2 minutes to thicken.
- Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with chopped parsley and extra grated parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm, ideally with garlic bread or a fresh salad on the side.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for a smoother, richer sauce.
- Do not overcook the tortellini to prevent mushiness; undercook slightly before adding to the sauce.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or include mushrooms to make the dish vegetarian-friendly (omit chicken).
- Letting the sauce rest off heat helps it thicken to the perfect creamy consistency.
