Introduction

Remember those nights when you just craved something comforting, delicious, and made with love, but you were short on time? This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini recipe is exactly that! It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for busy evenings or when you want to impress without the fuss. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this flavorful meal comes together, bringing smiles to everyone around your table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Fast: Ready in about 30 minutes – perfect for those hungry weeknights!
Effortlessly Easy: Simple steps that even beginner cooks can master.
Incredibly Giftable: Make a batch and share the goodness with friends or neighbors.
Always a Crowd-Pleaser: The creamy sauce and savory chicken are a guaranteed hit with families and friends.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this magical dish. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you might even have in your pantry!

1 Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless is easiest. We’ll cut it into bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly.
1 head Broccoli, fresh: For a pop of green and some healthy goodness. You can chop it into bite-sized florets.
2 cloves Garlic: The heart and soul of any good garlic dish! Minced is best for maximum flavor.
1 package Cheese tortellini: Fresh or frozen works great. This is our super speedy pasta base!
2 tablespoons Olive oil: Your go-to for sautéing and building flavor.
2 tablespoons Butter: Because a little butter makes everything better, right?
1 cup Heavy cream: This is what makes our sauce wonderfully rich and creamy.
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese: Salty, nutty, and the perfect finish. Use the good stuff if you can!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! Grab your apron, put on some music, and let’s create some magic in your kitchen.

Prep Your Ingredients: First things first, let’s get everything ready. Cut your chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Chop your fresh broccoli into lovely little florets. And finely mince those two cloves of garlic.
Cook the Tortellini: While you’re prepping, get a pot of salted water boiling for your tortellini. Cook it according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. Once it’s done, drain it well and set it aside. Don’t rinse it – we want that starchy water to help our sauce cling!
Get Sizzling: Grab your favorite large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add your olive oil and butter. Let them get nice and hot; you should see the butter start to foam a little.
Brown the Chicken: Carefully add your bite-sized chicken pieces to the hot skillet. Let them cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Aromatic Garlic: Now, toss in your minced garlic. Stir it around for just about a minute until you can really smell its wonderful aroma. Be careful not to burn it!
Tender-Crisp Broccoli: Add your broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken and garlic. Cook them for a few minutes, stirring, until they’re tender-crisp – still a little bite to them, which is just perfect.
Creamy Dreamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it bubble slightly.
Parmesan Magic: Now for the best part! Stir in your grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce has thickened to a lovely, luscious consistency.
Bring It All Together: Add your drained, cooked tortellini back into the skillet with the chicken, broccoli, and sauce. Gently toss everything together until the tortellini and chicken are beautifully coated in that irresistible creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
Serve and Enjoy!: Dish it up immediately! This dish is best enjoyed piping hot.

Substitutions & Additions

Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own! Here are a few ideas:

Chicken Swap: No chicken breast? Cooked rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut! Just shred it and add it at the end to warm through with the tortellini. You could also try cooked shrimp or even some Italian sausage.
Veggie Variety: Feel free to toss in other veggies like spinach (add it right before the cream to wilt), peas, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a lovely warmth if you like a little heat.
Herb Heaven: Fresh parsley or chives sprinkled on top just before serving add a beautiful pop of freshness and color.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini absolutely perfect:

Don’t Overcook the Tortellini: Al dente is key! It will finish cooking slightly in the sauce.
Watch Your Garlic: Minced garlic can burn quickly. Keep an eye on it and stir constantly.
Thickening the Sauce: If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, let it simmer for a minute or two longer. You can also mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to make a slurry and whisk it into the sauce, letting it simmer until thickened.
Prep Ahead: You can chop your chicken and broccoli, and mince your garlic earlier in the day or the night before to save even more time on busy evenings.

How to Store It

Leftovers are a treasure! Store any cooled, leftover Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep well for 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream if the sauce seems a bit thick.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Can I use different pasta? Absolutely! Penne, fettuccine, or even a short-cut pasta like rotini would work beautifully in this dish.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly? While the flavors are best when fresh, you can technically freeze it. However, the cream sauce can sometimes separate upon thawing, so it might not be as smooth.
Can I make this dairy-free? It would be a different dish, but you could try using a plant-based cream alternative and nutritional yeast for cheesiness, though the flavor profile will change significantly.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini

A comforting, delicious, and fast creamy garlic parmesan chicken tortellini recipe perfect for busy weeknights, ready in about 30 minutes. It's easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings 4

Equipment

Large skillet
Pot For boiling tortellini

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 Chicken breast, boneless, skinless Cut into bite-sized pieces
1 head Broccoli, fresh Chopped into bite-sized florets
2 cloves Garlic Minced
1 package Cheese tortellini Fresh or frozen
2 tablespoons Olive oil
2 tablespoons Butter
1 cup Heavy cream
0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prep Your Ingredients: First things first, let's get everything ready. Cut your chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Chop your fresh broccoli into lovely little florets. And finely mince those two cloves of garlic.
Cook the Tortellini: While you're prepping, get a pot of salted water boiling for your tortellini. Cook it according to the package directions until it's perfectly al dente. Once it's done, drain it well and set it aside. Don't rinse it – we want that starchy water to help our sauce cling!
Get Sizzling: Grab your favorite large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add your olive oil and butter. Let them get nice and hot; you should see the butter start to foam a little.
Brown the Chicken: Carefully add your bite-sized chicken pieces to the hot skillet. Let them cook, stirring occasionally, until they're beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Aromatic Garlic: Now, toss in your minced garlic. Stir it around for just about a minute until you can really smell its wonderful aroma. Be careful not to burn it!
Tender-Crisp Broccoli: Add your broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken and garlic. Cook them for a few minutes, stirring, until they're tender-crisp – still a little bite to them, which is just perfect.
Creamy Dreamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it bubble slightly.
Parmesan Magic: Now for the best part! Stir in your grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce has thickened to a lovely, luscious consistency.
Bring It All Together: Add your drained, cooked tortellini back into the skillet with the chicken, broccoli, and sauce. Gently toss everything together until the tortellini and chicken are beautifully coated in that irresistible creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
Serve and Enjoy!: Dish it up immediately! This dish is best enjoyed piping hot.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream if the sauce seems thick.