Description
This Garlic Parmesan Tortellini Skillet combines tender cooked chicken, crisp broccoli, and cheese-filled tortellini in a rich and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a deliciously comforting one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs (cooked and sliced)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic (freshly minced)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (avoid powdered)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Tortellini: In a large pot of salted water, cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken breasts or thighs, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: Using the same skillet, add the broccoli florets. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Once cooked, remove the broccoli and set aside with the chicken.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to let it burn.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to build flavor.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the cheese melts smoothly.
- Season the Sauce: Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning to your preference.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken, broccoli, and drained tortellini to the skillet. Toss everything thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
- Finish Cooking: Let the combined ingredients cook together over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to heat through and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the skillet hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs like parsley for added color and flavor. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful meal!
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen tortellini according to preference; fresh will cook faster.
- Chicken breasts or thighs can be substituted depending on your texture preference.
- Broccoli can be swapped for other vegetables like spinach or peas if desired.
- Make sure to not burn the garlic as it will turn bitter and affect the sauce flavor.
- If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to adjust consistency.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead by cooking chicken and tortellini in advance and combining during final steps.
