Description
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender seasoned chicken, cheese tortellini, spinach, and a rich tomato cream sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels special, this recipe combines simple ingredients with an irresistible, savory sauce simmered to perfection.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cooking Fats and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 shallot, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (3oz) tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb (16 oz) cheese tortellini
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
For Serving
- Fresh basil leaves
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Cube the chicken into small 1-inch chunks and place in a medium bowl. Season evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Toss gently to coat. Add the all-purpose flour and toss again to lightly coat the chicken pieces.
- Cook chicken: Heat a large cast iron or ceramic-coated nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken in a single even layer. Cook, tossing 2-3 times, until chicken is browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove cooked chicken to a bowl or plate and set aside.
- Build the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the minced shallot, garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant. Season with red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Stir in the tomato paste, then pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits.
- Add pasta: Stir in the cheese tortellini. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a low simmer. Cover the skillet and let simmer for 3-4 minutes until the tortellini is cooked through. Stir halfway through cooking, around the 2-minute mark, to ensure even cooking.
- Finish it up: Remove the lid and stir in the cooked chicken, chopped spinach, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and heated through. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Plate the dish hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves, additional parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy your delicious Marry Me Chicken Tortellini!
Notes
- Leftovers may absorb the sauce and become thick. To reheat, add a splash of water and gently warm in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to loosen the sauce and maintain creaminess.
- Tortellini package sizes vary from 12-20 oz. This recipe uses 1 lb (16 oz) but is flexible; adjust broth amount accordingly if using more or less pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 479
- Sugar: 3.3 g
- Sodium: 903 mg
- Fat: 19.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32.6 g
- Cholesterol: 121 mg
