Description
This One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a deliciously creamy and flavorful meal combining tender chicken, fresh cheese tortellini, and a rich garlic butter sauce with a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. It’s quick to prepare, made entirely in one pot, making it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. The dish is finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, delivering a comforting and satisfying Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pot, add a little more butter if needed and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes to release their flavor.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth while scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to incorporate that flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are tender and heated through.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Let all the ingredients cook together for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to marry the flavors. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- This recipe delivers a creamy, garlicky, and slightly spicy pasta dish that is both comforting and quick to prepare.
- Using fresh cheese tortellini or ravioli adds a rich texture but dried pasta can be substituted with adjusted cooking times and additional broth.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Since this dish cooks all in one pot, it minimizes cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and gently reheated on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to maintain creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
