If you’re on the lookout for a dish that’s creamy, comforting, and bright with flavor, the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe is a total game changer. This one-pan wonder brings together tender chicken, luscious cheese tortellini, and a dreamy sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan. It’s cozy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for a special dinner with friends or family. Trust me, once you make this, it won’t just be a meal—it’ll become a go-to favorite you’ll want to share on repeat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the magic of the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe starts with a handful of simple ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in building those rich layers of flavor and creating the perfect texture—from the silky sauce to the tender chicken and pillowy tortellini.
- Frozen cheese tortellini: Convenient and cheesy, this is the comforting base that soaks up all the sauce beautifully.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps develop that gorgeous golden sear on the chicken.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces to cook quickly and stay juicy.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Bring a punch of tangy sweetness that cuts through the creamy sauce perfectly.
- Minced garlic: Essential for building savory depth and aromatic warmth.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the sauce light while layering in savory flavor.
- Heavy cream: Creates that luxuriously creamy texture that coats every bite.
- Finely shredded parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for nuttiness and salty goodness.
- Chopped baby spinach: Adds a fresh green color and subtle earthiness, plus a nutritious touch.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Start by seasoning your bite-sized chicken pieces generously with black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. This spice trio layers in warmth and a hint of smokiness that makes each bite interesting. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Once ready, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside for now.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Lower the heat to medium-low and in the same skillet, melt a pat of butter (not listed but optional for best flavor). Toss in the minced garlic and thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté until they become fragrant—that garlicky aroma combined with the sweet tang of the tomatoes fills your kitchen with pure happiness and builds the base for your sauce.
Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then whisk in the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika again for consistency in flavor. Let the mixture bubble gently on the stovetop, allowing the flavors to marry and the sauce to thicken slightly. This creamy foundation is what makes this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe so irresistible.
Step 4: Add Parmesan and Chicken
Gradually sprinkle in the finely shredded parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until it fully melts and smooths the sauce. Then, return your golden chicken pieces back to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy richness to stay tender and juicy. Every spoonful of sauce clinging to the chicken feels like a little celebration.
Step 5: Toss in Spinach and Tortellini
Finally, stir in the chopped baby spinach and frozen cheese tortellini. Let everything simmer for about 5 minutes, just until the spinach wilts and the tortellini heats through. The vibrant green of the spinach contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce, and the cheese-filled pasta provides the perfect finishing touch.
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh basil leaves or a dusting of extra parmesan adds a pretty, fresh finish. For a pop of color and texture, crack some fresh black pepper over the top right before serving. These small touches elevate the dish from comforting to downright elegant.
Side Dishes
This dish is quite hearty on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or some garlic bread can add a delightful crunch and freshness. A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, for example, complements the creamy richness beautifully without overpowering it.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, serve the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe in shallow pasta bowls to showcase the luscious sauce and colorful ingredients. Alternatively, plate it on warm white plates and garnish with microgreens for a sleek, modern presentation that invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen a bit as it rests, making for tasty next-day lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When storing, make sure it’s cooled completely and leave a little room at the top for sauce expansion. Freeze in portions for easy thawing and reheating later.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce feels too thick. This will help it regain its creamy richness without drying out.
FAQs
Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh tortellini will work wonderfully and may even cook faster. Just keep an eye on the simmering time to avoid overcooking.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not really; the paprika adds a warm, subtle depth but no significant heat. You can adjust by adding red pepper flakes if you want a little kick.
Can I substitute chicken with another protein?
Yes, shrimp or turkey breast pieces would make great alternatives. The creamy sauce pairs well with mild proteins that soak up the flavors.
What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?
You can swap with roasted red peppers or omit them entirely, though sun-dried tomatoes contribute a unique tang that’s hard to replicate.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! It stores and reheats beautifully, making it an ideal dish to prepare ahead for busy days without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe is exactly the kind of delicious, comforting dish you want to have in your repertoire. Its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and cheesy tortellini come together to create a meal that feels special but is so easy to pull off. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s one of my all-time favorites—give it a go and prepare to fall in love.
Print
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts, savory sun-dried tomatoes, and tender cheese tortellini all simmered in a rich parmesan cream sauce with spinach. Ready in just 30 minutes, this flavorful skillet meal combines Italian-inspired seasonings and fresh ingredients for a satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Protein and Pasta
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
Vegetables
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced thin
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
Dairy
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for sautéing garlic and tomatoes)
Liquids and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Seasonings
- Black pepper, to taste
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces generously with black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika to infuse them with flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add butter. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, sautéing until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Create the sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Whisk in additional Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika. Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add parmesan and chicken: Gradually sprinkle in the parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and the sauce thickens. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, mixing it into the sauce.
- Combine tortellini and spinach: Stir in the chopped baby spinach and frozen cheese tortellini. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the spinach wilts and the tortellini is heated through.
Notes
- Use fresh baby spinach for best flavor and texture.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly before setting aside to avoid undercooked pieces in the final dish.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but sauce may be less creamy.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or garlic bread.
