Easy Creamy Tortellini with Chicken and Broccoli Recipe
This easy creamy tortellini with chicken and broccoli is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender cheese tortellini, juicy chicken breast, and nutritious broccoli in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it offers a luscious and satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Salt
Pasta
- 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets (steamed or cooked)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings & Garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions—3-5 minutes for fresh tortellini, 8-10 minutes for frozen. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside to keep warm.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until it becomes fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet with the garlic. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. Then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the steamed broccoli. Add the cooked tortellini and gently toss everything together to coat with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding extra chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the creamy tortellini with chicken and broccoli onto serving plates. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream.
- Use fresh tortellini for a softer texture, but frozen works perfectly as well.
- You can steam broccoli by microwaving it with a tablespoon of water for 3-4 minutes or blanch in boiling water until tender-crisp.
- Feel free to add red pepper flakes for a slight kick of heat.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining tortellini to help thin out the sauce if needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: tortellini recipe, creamy chicken pasta, broccoli pasta dish, easy dinner recipes, Italian creamy pasta