Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

I absolutely love how this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe comes together-it’s like a warm hug on a plate. The combination of tender, seasoned chicken with cheesy tortellini swimming in a creamy tomato sauce just feels so comforting and indulgent. Whether you re looking for a cozy weeknight dinner or a dish to impress your loved ones, this recipe truly delivers.

When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how quickly it came together without sacrificing any flavour. You ll find that it s surprisingly simple, which is great for those busy evenings when you want something special that doesn t take hours. Plus, the leftovers reheat beautifully, so you can enjoy it again the next day with nearly the same magic.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe are simple but thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor. You ll want good-quality sun-dried tomatoes and fresh parmesan to really make the sauce shine.

• Chicken breast: Cutting into smaller chunks helps it cook quickly and evenly.
• Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning all parts of the dish just right.
• Italian seasoning: Adds that classic herby flavor that pairs perfectly with the tomato base.
• Smoked paprika: Gives a subtle smoky depth that makes the chicken extra savory.
• All-purpose flour: Lightly coating the chicken helps achieve a nice sear and thickens the sauce slightly.
• Butter and extra-virgin olive oil: Using both gives a lovely richness and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
• Shallot and garlic: These aromatics create the flavorful foundation of the sauce.
• Red pepper flakes: Adds just a hint of heat-adjust to your taste!
• Sun-dried tomatoes in oil: Finely chopped, they bring concentrated tomato sweetness and texture.
• Tomato paste: Intensifies the sauce without overpowering the creaminess.
• Chicken broth: Keeps the sauce light and adds savory depth.
• Cheese tortellini: Store-bought or fresh, this is the star pasta that soaks up all those wonderful flavors.
• Heavy cream: Makes the sauce silky and luscious.
• Fresh spinach: Adds color, nutrition, and a nice earthy touch.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for that perfect cheesy finish.
• Fresh basil, extra parmesan, black pepper, red pepper flakes: For serving and giving the dish a fresh, elegant touch.

Variations

I love making this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe my own by tweaking the ingredients depending on what I have on hand or the season. Don t be afraid to swap things out or add your own flair-you ll make it even more special that way!

• Use sun-dried tomatoes without oil: I ve done this when short on pantry supplies-just toss in a little extra olive oil and it still works great.
• Swap spinach for kale or arugula: I enjoy this swap in cooler months; it gives the dish a punchier green flavor.
• Try turkey or pork instead of chicken: For a different protein twist that still cooks quickly and stays tender.
• Make it dairy-free: Substitute the cream with coconut milk and use a dairy-free cheese alternative-your sauce will be just as luscious!

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

Step 1: Season and Flour the Chicken

Start by cubing your chicken into about 1-inch pieces. I like smaller chunks because they cook through faster and get more surface area for browning, which adds so much flavor. Toss the chicken with kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika until everything is evenly coated. Then add the flour and toss gently again-this light coating is the secret to that lovely golden crust and helps thicken your sauce later on.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, adding the butter and one tablespoon of olive oil. When it s shimmering hot, add your seasoned chicken in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes before tossing it around every minute or so. You want that nice brown color on all sides without drying it out. Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Sauce Base

Using the same pan, stir in the remaining olive oil. Toss in the minced shallot, garlic, and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about three minutes, stirring frequently until everything is softened and fragrant. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and season lightly with salt and pepper. Now stir in the tomato paste and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift all those delicious browned bits into the sauce-that s flavor gold.

Step 4: Add Tortellini and Simmer

Time for the star pasta! Stir in your cheese tortellini and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Then lower the heat to maintain that simmer and cover the skillet. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring halfway through, so the tortellini cooks evenly and soaks up that rich sauce. Keep an eye out to make sure the sauce doesn t reduce too much or stick to the pan.

Step 5: Finish with Chicken, Spinach, Cream, and Parmesan

Remove the lid and stir in the cooked chicken, chopped spinach, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring over low heat until the spinach wilts and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Taste it and add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if you want an extra kick. Then serve hot garnished with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan. Trust me, at this point, you might even want to get down on one knee. 😍

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

Garnishes

For garnishes, I always reach for fresh basil-its bright, herbal notes complement the creamy tomato base wonderfully. A little extra freshly cracked black pepper adds some zing, and sprinkling on more parmesan cheese takes it over the top. If you like heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes right at the end gives a perfect gentle burn that balances the richness.

Side Dishes

I tend to keep sides simple with this dish since it s hearty enough on its own. A crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus with garlic are my go-to pairings. Crusty garlic bread also works beautifully to scoop up any leftover sauce-you won t want to waste a drop!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I ve tried serving this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe in individual shallow bowls and topping each portion with a tiny sprig of fresh basil. Doing so not only looks elegant but also feels more personal and celebratory. You could also drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil just before serving for a glossy, restaurant-quality finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge and eaten within 3 days. I like to separate the sauce and tortellini if I can, to keep any pasta from soaking up too much liquid and getting mushy. But honestly, it s still delicious even all mixed together!

Freezing

I ve frozen this dish once or twice, and while the cream sauce changes texture a bit after thawing, it still tastes great. To freeze, cool completely then portion into freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before reheating to bring the sauce back together.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it seems too thick or grainy. I avoid microwaving this because the sauce breaks down more easily under intense heat, but if you must, heat in short bursts and stir frequently.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it s both impressive and approachable. I love sharing it with friends who are amazed it only takes half an hour and so few ingredients to taste like a special occasion. Try making it your next dinner-it s a surefire way to turn an ordinary night into something memorable. And who knows? You might just inspire that marry me moment too!

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 97 reviews

• Author: Villerius
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a deliciously creamy one-pan Italian-inspired dish featuring tender seasoned chicken, cheese tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese all simmered together in a flavorful tomato cream sauce. Perfect for a cozy weeknight meal or an impressive dinner to share with loved ones, this recipe delivers rich flavors with minimal effort and in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Cooking Fats

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 1 shallot, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
• 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped

Liquids & Dairy

• 1/4 cup (3 oz) tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Pasta

• 1 lb (16 oz) cheese tortellini

For Serving

• Fresh basil
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Cube the chicken into small 1-inch pieces and place in a medium bowl. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika, then toss to evenly coat the chicken. Add the all-purpose flour and gently toss again, ensuring the chicken is lightly coated in flour.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat a large cast iron or ceramic-coated nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in an even layer. Cook, tossing 2-3 times, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate or bowl and set aside.
3. Build the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil along with the minced garlic, shallot, and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the aromatics are softened and fragrant. Season with red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Stir in the tomato paste and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate all the flavor.
4. Add the tortellini: Stir in the cheese tortellini and bring the mixture to a simmer. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the skillet, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the tortellini are tender. Stir halfway through at about the 2-minute mark to ensure even cooking.
5. Finish the dish: Remove the lid and stir the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the roughly chopped spinach, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until well combined and the spinach is wilted. Serve the dish hot, garnished with fresh basil, extra Parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Ready to impress your loved one!

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Notes

• Using a cast iron or nonstick skillet helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
• For best flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil and finely chop them.
• If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
• Keeping the lid on while simmering helps the tortellini cook evenly and retain moisture.
• This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6th of the recipe)
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 670mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 33g
• Cholesterol: 110mg