Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini

Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a creamy and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in garlic butter with a kick of crushed red pepper flakes. The sauce includes chicken broth and heavy cream, thickened with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and tossed with fresh cheese tortellini for a rich, comforting meal.

You’ll love this recipe because it balances savory chicken with a buttery, garlicky, and slightly spicy sauce. The fresh herbs at the end add brightness, while the fresh cheese tortellini cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors. It’s easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil or parsley, chopped
• 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

2. In the same pot, add more butter if needed and sauté garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add crushed red pepper flakes and stir to release flavor.

3. Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits from pot bottom to incorporate flavor. Stir in heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer.

4. Add cheese tortellini to the pot and cook 4-6 minutes until pasta is tender and heated through.

5. Return cooked chicken to the pot along with Parmesan cheese. Stir well to melt cheese and create a creamy sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.

6. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley before serving.

Tips for Success

• Use fresh garlic and adjust red pepper flakes for desired spiciness.

• Stir often while cooking tortellini to prevent sticking.

• Use fresh tortellini for quicker, tender results.

• Add herbs at the end to keep their vibrant flavor.

Delicious Variations

• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for vegetables.

• Substitute half-and-half for cream for lighter sauce.

• Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep.

• Sprinkle extra Parmesan or mozzarella before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use dried tortellini?

Yes, but adjust cooking time according to package instructions.

How to make it less spicy?

Reduce or omit crushed red pepper flakes.

Can this be made in advance?

Yes, reheat gently on stove or microwave adding a splash of broth.

What other herbs work well?

Thyme, oregano, or chives complement this dish nicely.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months; thaw before reheating.

Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini

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• Author: Emma Hart
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Creamy one-pot pasta with tender chicken sautéed in garlic butter and red pepper flakes. Cooked with fresh cheese tortellini in a rich sauce of chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan, finished with fresh herbs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Salt and black pepper, to taste

4 tbsp butter

4 garlic cloves, minced

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

2 cups fresh cheese tortellini

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Instructions

1. Cook chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through; remove and set aside.

2. Sauté garlic and spice: Melt more butter if needed in the same pot. Cook garlic 30 seconds until fragrant, add crushed red pepper flakes, and stir.

3. Simmer sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the pot. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Cook tortellini: Add fresh cheese tortellini and cook 4–6 minutes until tender and heated through.

5. Combine and finish: Return chicken to pot, stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Cook 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.

6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley before serving.

See also  Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

Notes

Use fresh garlic and adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred heat.

Stir frequently during tortellini cooking to avoid sticking.

Fresh tortellini cooks faster and has a better texture.

Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve flavor and color.

Store leftovers airtight in fridge up to 3 days; freeze for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Dish, Pasta
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 2
• Sodium: 710
• Fat: 30
• Saturated Fat: 18
• Unsaturated Fat: 12
• Carbohydrates: 22
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 36
• Cholesterol: 130

Keywords: spicy garlic chicken tortellini, creamy chicken pasta, one pot tortellini dinner, garlic butter chicken dinner, easy spicy pasta recipe