Description
Creamy garlic parmesan tortellini with chicken & broccoli delivers a comforting Italian-inspired meal packed with rich flavors and satisfying textures. Cheese-coated pasta, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli combine into a delightful dinner that welcomes hungry diners to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 (20 ounces/567 grams) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids and Cheese:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra richness)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, creating a perfect cooking surface for the chicken.
- Coat chicken pieces with a blend of Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, ensuring even seasoning throughout the meat.
- Carefully sear the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, developing a rich exterior and tender interior.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and juicy.
- Introduce minced garlic to the same skillet, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom and infuse the pan with flavor.
- Toss broccoli florets into the skillet, sautéing until they become vibrant green and slightly crisp.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the pan, creating a luxurious base for the tortellini.
- Gently add tortellini to the liquid, covering the skillet and allowing the pasta to simmer and absorb the creamy mixture.
- Cook until the tortellini becomes tender and the broccoli reaches perfect doneness, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Sprinkle generous amounts of parmesan cheese into the sauce, melting and thickening the creamy mixture.
- Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet, letting it warm through and meld with the other ingredients.
- Optional: Enhance the sauce’s richness by adding a pat of butter, stirring until completely incorporated.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.
- Plate the tortellini, creating an inviting dish that showcases the creamy, herb-infused sauce and tender ingredients.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright, final touch if desired.
Notes
- Optimize chicken tenderness by pounding it to an even thickness before seasoning, ensuring uniform cooking and preventing dry edges.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, maintaining creamy texture while reducing caloric content.
- Choose fresh tortellini from refrigerated section for superior taste and texture compared to dried versions, enhancing overall dish quality.
- Add red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for extra depth and subtle heat, transforming the recipe with minimal effort and introducing exciting flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg