Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

If you ve been on the hunt for a recipe that feels like a hug on a plate, trust me when I say the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe is an absolute winner. I first tried it on a chilly evening when I wanted something rich, comforting, and surprisingly easy to whip up-and it instantly became a favorite for busy weeknights or casual date nights at home.

This recipe brings together tender chunks of seasoned chicken and pillowy cheese tortellini in a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce that s bursting with flavor. You ll find that the balance of smoky paprika, garlic, and fresh spinach make it feel like a decadent treat without hours in the kitchen. It s worth trying anytime you want to impress yourself (or a loved one) without breaking a sweat.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe works in harmony to build layers of flavor and texture. Fresh herbs, creamy cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes bring an Italian-inspired magic that s super satisfying. Here are some shopping tips before you dive in!

• Chicken Breast: Cutting into small chunks ensures quick, even cooking, keeping the chicken juicy and tender.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that form the base, balancing flavors perfectly.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend that pulls together the Mediterranean notes beautifully.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth-don t skip this if you can help it!
• All-Purpose Flour: Coats the chicken lightly to help with browning and thickening the sauce later.
• Butter: Gives richness and helps develop flavor when cooking the chicken.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Divided use adds silky texture and enhances the sautéed aromatics.
• Shallot & Garlic: Minced finely so their flavor infuses the sauce without overpowering it.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For that gentle kick of heat-adjust to taste!
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil: These add bright, tangy sweetness that s a game changer in the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated flavor that deepens the sauce s color and richness.
• Chicken Broth: The base of the sauce, bring it all together with a savory, comforting taste.
• Cheese Tortellini: Using fresh or refrigerated tortellini makes this recipe easy and indulgent.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess that coats the tortellini and chicken perfectly.
• Spinach: Adds color, nutrients, and a nice freshness to balance the richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for the best flavor and that perfect salty finish.

Variations

I love tweaking this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe depending on what s in my fridge or who I m feeding. Don t be shy about making it your own-it s forgiving and versatile in the best way!

• Protein Swap: I ve swapped chicken for turkey or even shrimp, and it works great-just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Veggie Boost: Adding mushrooms, sun-dried tomato halves, or bell peppers brings extra texture and freshness.
• Dairy-Free Options: Using coconut cream and nutritional yeast gives a similar creamy texture and cheesy flavor without dairy.
• Spice Level: Want more heat? I add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper-it wakes up the whole dish beautifully.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

Step 1: Season and Flour the Chicken

Start by cubing your chicken into small, bite-sized pieces-this not only helps them cook quickly but also ensures every bite is tender. In a bowl, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika-trust me, the smoked paprika is where a subtle smoky flavor comes from that brings this dish alive. Toss the chicken gently, then sprinkle the flour over and coat the chunks evenly to get a light dusting. This helps create a slight crust and thickens the sauce later.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium heat with butter and one tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding so they brown nicely instead of steaming. Toss the chicken every couple minutes and cook until golden and cooked through-about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside. This step locks in juices and builds a delicious base flavor for your sauce.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Build the Sauce

Add the remaining olive oil to the empty skillet along with minced garlic, shallot, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and softened. Then, add red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt and pepper, followed by the tomato paste-stir it in and let it cook for a minute to deepen its flavor. Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the pan bottom-that s flavor gold right there.

Step 4: Cook the Tortellini in the Sauce

Now stir in the cheese tortellini and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring halfway through to keep the pasta cooking evenly. You want the tortellini just tender but still holding their shape to soak up all that lovely sauce.

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

Remove the lid and stir in the browned chicken, roughly chopped spinach, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and everything is combined with the sauce that s now thick and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately topped with fresh basil, extra parmesan, cracked black pepper, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you want that little extra zing.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishing, I keep it simple yet fresh-fresh basil leaves tossed on top add a vibrant pop of green and aroma, plus a generous sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and more parmesan cheese for that extra umami boost. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes on top for friends who love a little heat.

Side Dishes

I like pairing this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe with a crisp side salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or some roasted asparagus to balance the creaminess. Garlic bread or a warm baguette is perfect for mopping up the luscious sauce-you won t regret having it on the side!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I ve served this dish family-style straight from a rustic cast-iron skillet on the table, surrounded by small bowls of garnishes and crusty bread. It turns dinner into a cozy experience where everyone digs in together. Another fun way is plating individual servings with a fresh basil sprig on top and a drizzle of good-quality olive oil-instant elegance.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your first round, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the sauce thickens as it sits, so before reheating, adding a splash of water or broth helps loosen it up and brings back that creamy magic.

Freezing

I ve frozen this recipe successfully, but I recommend freezing it before adding the cream-freeze the chicken, tortellini, and sauce mixture separately if possible, then add cream when reheating to keep the texture fresh. Otherwise, the cream can sometimes separate after freezing.

Reheating

When reheating, I prefer warming it gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth or water, stirring often until heated through. This keeps the tortellini from drying out and revives that saucy deliciousness perfectly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen because it brings together ease and a touch of elegance in one skillet. It s the kind of meal I love making when I want to feel like I m spoiling my family, but I also need something straightforward and fast. Give this recipe a go-you ll be surprised how those simple ingredients combine to create a dish worthy of a proposal (or at least a second helping)!

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 794 reviews

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

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Description

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chunks of seasoned chicken, cheese tortellini, and a luscious tomato-cream sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach. This easy skillet recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for a delicious weeknight meal that feels a little special.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasoning

• 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 and Aromatics

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 shallot, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Sauce and Pasta

• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup (3 oz) tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 lb (16 oz) cheese tortellini
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

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 chunks and place in a medium bowl. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and toss gently until the chicken pieces are lightly coated.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat a large cast iron skillet or ceramic nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When hot, add the chicken in an even layer. Cook while 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: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic, shallot, and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant. Season with red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the tomato paste followed by the chicken broth. Use a spatula to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom.
4. Add pasta and simmer: Stir in the cheese tortellini and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the tortellini is tender. Stir once halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
5. Finish the dish: Remove the lid and return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the roughly chopped spinach, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until everything is well combined and heated through. Serve immediately garnished with fresh basil, extra Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, and additional red pepper flakes if desired.

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Notes

• When reheating leftovers, the tortellini tends to absorb the sauce. Add a splash of water before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop to loosen the sauce and maintain its creamy texture.
• Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
• Chicken breast pieces can be cut smaller or larger depending on your preference but ensure even cooking.
• You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level of the dish.
• If you prefer, substitute fresh baby spinach for frozen, but ensure frozen spinach is well drained.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
• Calories: 479
• Sugar: 3.3 g
• Sodium: 902.6 mg
• Fat: 19.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32.6 g
• Cholesterol: 121.1 mg