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
Scale
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.
