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Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo is a creamy and comforting dish combining tender chicken breasts with cheesy tortellini in a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy homemade meals. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and offers versatility with easy ingredient swaps, bringing restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz pre-packaged cheese tortellini
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook the chicken breasts until golden and cooked through, approximately 6 to 7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest while preparing the sauce.
  2. Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions, generally 3 to 5 minutes until al dente. Drain the tortellini, reserving a small amount of pasta water, then set aside.
  3. Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese continuously until the sauce thickens to a silky smooth consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine and Serve: Slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Add the cooked tortellini and gently toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melt quality.
  • Avoid overcooking chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
  • Simmer Alfredo sauce gently on low heat to prevent separation or curdling.
  • Customize by adding Romano or Asiago cheese for more depth of flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Tortellini Alfredo, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, Italian comfort food