One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe
A creamy, spicy, and savory one-pot meal featuring tender chicken and fresh cheese tortellini simmered in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of red pepper heat, topped with Parmesan and fresh herbs for a comforting and flavorful dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are browned and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pot, add a bit more butter if needed and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes to infuse the butter with a spicy kick.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits for added flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are tender and heated through.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Let everything cook together for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors. Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes for your preferred spice level.
- Using fresh tortellini gives the best texture, but frozen can be substituted; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs for an enhanced presentation.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: one-pot meal, spicy chicken, garlic butter sauce, tortellini, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe
