Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken and Broccoli
A rich and creamy garlic Parmesan tortellini dish with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli, all coated in a luscious and flavorful sauce. Perfect for a quick, comforting weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Contains Gluten
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz cheese tortellini
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Prepare the Ingredients: Trim and dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Chop the broccoli into small florets, mince the garlic, and grate fresh Parmesan cheese. Have your tortellini ready to cook.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt and Italian seasoning. Cook until golden and fully cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Broccoli: In the same pan, add a little more butter if needed and toss in the garlic, stirring until fragrant but not browned. Add broccoli florets, cooking for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp, preserving their bright green color and fresh bite.
- Cook the Tortellini: Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat and add heavy cream to the broccoli and garlic in the skillet. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, letting it melt and thicken the sauce. Season with salt and more Italian seasoning as needed.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and add the drained tortellini. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated in that irresistible creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan for the best flavor and sauce texture.
- Do not overcook broccoli; keep it slightly firm for texture and color.
- Season in layers: salt and spice the chicken, sauce, and pasta water for depth.
- Simmer cream gently to avoid curdling and achieve smooth sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan tortellini, chicken and broccoli, easy weeknight dinner, one pot pasta dish