Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a romantic dinner that is so good you will get a marriage proposal! A seasoned chicken that is paired with sundried tomatoes, heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and of course cheese-filled tortellini. This creamy sauce paired with the tortellini is perfect for a dinner at home for the family, a romantic meal for two, and is even kid-friendly. An easy recipe that offers a big flavor payout.
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a romantic dinner that is so good you will get a marriage proposal! A seasoned chicken that is paired with sundried tomatoes, heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and of course cheese-filled tortellini. This creamy sauce paired with the tortellini is perfect for a dinner at home for the family, a romantic meal for two, and is even kid-friendly. An easy recipe that offers a big flavor payout.
If you enjoy chicken the way our family does, then check out my blackberry chicken, Instant Pot honey chicken, or this popular chicken alfredo manacotti! All are incredible chicken recipes.
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Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients needed to make this recipe, you can find the full list of ingredients and amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Boneless chicken
- Cheese tortellini
- Salt and black pepper
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Dried basil
- Dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Basil leaves
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this recipe. The full step-by-step instructions can be found at the bottom of this post.
Start by seasoning the diced chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet on medium heat and sear until golden brown and fully cooked. Cook the frozen tortellini as directed on the package.
Next, you will add in the minced garlic and cook for around a minute or until the garlic becomes fragrant. Make sure to stir to ensure the garlic disperses all over the bottom of the pan.
Lower the heat, and then pour in the chicken broth, and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any stuck browned bits on the bottom of the pan. This will help unstick any garlic or chicken pieces.
Then you will lower the heat and add the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, spices, and seasonings. Stir until the cheese is melted and you create a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
Once the sauce is creamy and smooth, add in the cooked tortellini pasta, and toss with the chicken and sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until it is fully warmed through.
You can then add additional red peppers, parmesan cheese, and even more tomatoes if you would like. Then scoop and serve up this easy and creamy chicken dish with your favorite sides.
Variations
- Spicy – You can add more red pepper flakes to add more spice to this easy chicken dinner. Or you can even go a step further and add in some of your favorite hot sauce when you mix in the heavy whipping cream. This will spice it up even more.
- Pasta – If you don’t want to use cheesy tortellini for this recipe, you are more than welcome to try a different pasta version. Simply cook up any type of pasta you would like. From penne pasta to spaghetti noodles, or even rigatoni pasta. Once
- White Wine Sauce – Add 1/4 cup white wine to richen the chicken pasta recipe even more. It is a perfect marriage of flavors and will enrich the recipe tremendously. Feel free to try any of your favorite wines to add to the Marry Me chicken pasta.
- Creamier Sauce – Add half of a block of softened cream cheese to elevate the flavor even more and add your own spin to the recipe. It will give this chicken recipe even richer. Just add to the end when you mix in the tortellini, and stir until melted.
For a spicy chicken recipe try my copycat Cheesecake Factory Chipotle chicken and pasta.
Equipment
I recommend that you use a large skillet that is heavy and quality. You will find if you use a lighter skillet it can create hot spots as it cooks and you run the risk of areas of the sauce and chicken to burn or be unevenly cooked.
I also prefer using a wooden spoon as it is a great tool for scraping the bottom of the pan. I prefer to use a non-stick safe skillet so I don’t worry about food sticking when I cook on medium-high heat.
Storage
Store any of the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, or skillet, or cover with foil and heat up in the oven. You will find the sauce thickens a bit as it sits in the fridge and cools down. If you need add a splash of broth or cream to thin up the sauce. It will also help ensure that you have juicy chicken as it heats.
You will find that due to the heavy cream in the dish, it does not freeze and thaw that well. The cream can separate and curdle a bit once it thaws from being frozen. So I recommend not freezing the leftovers. It offers similar flavors just the texture is off.
Test Kitchen Tips
- You can use any type of boneless chicken. Large chicken breasts, boneless chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, etc.
- Another thing is if you want you can add in fresh cherry tomatoes in replace of sun-dried tomatoes if you would like. I just recommend with the swap add in a little Italian seasoning to flavor the chicken a bit more.
- Fresh tomatoes do create more liquid due to the seeds so take note of that.
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before you move on to adding other ingredients to the skillet.
FAQ
A cheese-filled tortellini is what I recommend for this recipe. You can use fresh or frozen tortellini. Just cook the pasta as directed on the package. Then you will mix it in with the cooked chicken and sauce at the end of cooking.
Go right ahead and add in some thinly sliced carrot matchsticks, bell peppers, red onion, broccoli, mushrooms, or other vegetables of your choice. It will add more flavor to the dish. You can add in the veggies once the chicken is fully cooked.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Serve With:
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Marry Me tortellini pasta:
- Breadsticks or garlic bread
- Salad
- Green beans or other vegetable
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Equipment
- large skillet
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring cups
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen cheese tortellini
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the frozen tortellini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the broth to simmer for 2-3 minutes, reducing slightly.
- Lower the heat and add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir continuously until the cheese is melted, and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked tortellini and chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss to coat the tortellini and chicken evenly with the sauce. Cook for an additional minute or two until everything is heated through.
- Divide the creamy chicken and tortellini among plates. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
- You can use any type of boneless chicken. Large chicken breasts, boneless chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, etc.
- Another thing is if you want you can add in fresh cherry tomatoes in replace of sun-dried tomatoes if you would like. I just recommend with the swap add in a little Italian seasoning to flavor the chicken a bit more.
This was a great recipe find! I had no idea what to make with chicken and tortellini and stumbled onto your site! Such a great blend of flavors and super easy to make. I added peas and mushrooms which were perfect! I can’t wait for leftovers!
Hi Cathy! I’m so glad that you enjoy this recipe! My family loves the flavor combinations also.