One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe

Introduction

This one-pot spicy garlic butter chicken tortellini is a quick, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken and cheese tortellini come together in a creamy, flavorful sauce with just the right amount of heat. It’s easy to make and sure to satisfy your cravings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
• 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

1. Step 1: Season the chicken with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes.
3. Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Add the fresh tortellini to the pot and cook for 4–6 minutes, or until tender and heated through.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Let everything cook together for another 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat, or breast for a leaner option.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your liking.
• Swap fresh tortellini for ravioli or gnocchi if preferred.
• Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition and texture.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with olive oil and use a dairy-free cream and cheese alternative to make this dish dairy-free.

Can I use frozen tortellini?

Yes, frozen tortellini works well. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure they are heated through.

One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 133 reviews

This One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender chicken, fresh cheese tortellini, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce with a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s rich in taste yet easy to prepare in a single pot, minimizing cleanup.

• Author: lea
• 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 1x2x3x

Chicken and Pasta

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)

Sauce and Seasonings

• 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

1. Sauté the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pot, melt an additional bit of butter if needed, then add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes to release their flavor.
3. Build the Sauce: Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits for extra flavor. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook it for 4 to 6 minutes until the pasta is tender and cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well blended. Let everything cook together for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

• Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
• Fresh tortellini cooks faster and provides a tender texture; if using frozen, increase the cooking time slightly.
• Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breast for a leaner option.
• To make it lower calorie, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or light cream.
• For a thicker sauce, cook a little longer after adding Parmesan to reduce liquid.
• Leftovers store well refrigerated up to 3 days and reheat gently on stovetop or microwave.

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