One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe
A flavorful and creamy one-pot dish featuring tender chicken breast, fresh cheese tortellini, and a spicy garlic butter sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight 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
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, 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
Pasta
- 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pot, add a little more butter if needed. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes to infuse the sauce with a gentle heat.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to incorporate flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook for 4–6 minutes, or until the tortellini are tender and heated through.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture. Let everything cook together for another 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Fresh tortellini cooks quickly; avoid overcooking to maintain its texture.
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful dish or chicken breast for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If you prefer, substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, spicy chicken tortellini, one pot meal, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, quick Italian recipe