Creamy Spicy Garlic Chicken Tortellini Recipe
A rich and creamy spicy garlic butter chicken tortellini dish featuring tender seared chicken, fresh cheese tortellini, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic and red pepper flakes. This skillet recipe delivers comfort and flavor in under 30 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs
Tortellini
- 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and sear chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper, then sear them in the hot butter until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt, to release their flavors into the butter.
- Create the creamy sauce: Pour in the chicken broth while scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken slightly.
- Cook tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the sauce. Simmer gently for 5-6 minutes, or until the tortellini are tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Combine chicken and finish: Return the seared chicken to the skillet and simmer everything together for an additional 2 minutes to reheat the chicken and meld the flavors. Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving to add a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- Use fresh or refrigerated tortellini for best texture and quick cooking time.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste to control spiciness.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a juicier result.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
