Description
This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini recipe is a creamy and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a rich parmesan cream sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner with a touch of elegance and full of bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced thin
- 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
Spices and Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (for chicken)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (for chicken)
- ½ teaspoon paprika (for chicken)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (for sauce)
Instructions
- Season the chicken. In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly with ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ½ teaspoon paprika. Set aside to marinate briefly.
- Cook the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes; sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Whisk constantly until the sauce begins to bubble gently. Gradually whisk in 1 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine ingredients. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet, then add 2 cups chopped baby spinach and the entire 19 oz bag of frozen cheese tortellini. Stir gently to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts and the tortellini is heated through.
- Serve. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy Marry Me Chicken Tortellini!
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in this dish.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts more smoothly for the sauce than pre-shredded varieties.
- If baby spinach is unavailable, you can substitute with fresh arugula or kale, but adjust cooking time as needed for wilt.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil provide the best flavor; drain well to avoid excess oiliness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, Chicken
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 640 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Chicken Tortellini, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Italian Chicken Recipes, Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
