Irresistible Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe You’ll Adore

Succulent chicken meets creamy tortellini in this marry me chicken tortellini that promises to sweep you off your feet.

Pasta lovers will swoon over the irresistible combination of tender chicken and cheesy pasta.

Rich, velvety sauce coats each delicate tortellini ring with incredible flavor.

Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes add depth and complexity to every single bite.

Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning with this romantic dish that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Elegant yet simple, this recipe proves love can definitely happen over a perfect meal.

You won’t be able to resist falling head over heels for this delectable creation.

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Benefits

• Craft Culinary Adventure: Dive into a delightful journey of creating authentic chicken empanadas that transport your taste buds to Latin American kitchens.
• Master Homemade Magic: Impress family and friends with a restaurant-quality dish that showcases your cooking skills without requiring professional training.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for lunch, dinner, parties, potlucks, or quick snacks that satisfy both kids and adults with their portable and flavorful profile.
• Customize with Creativity: Easily swap ingredients, adjust spice levels, or add personal touches to make these empanadas uniquely yours while maintaining the classic recipe's essence.

Key Ingredients For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Tender protein that forms the main base of the dish and absorbs the delicious sauce flavors.

• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Aromatic spices that enhance the chicken's taste and add depth to the overall recipe.

• Cheese Tortellini: Soft pasta pockets filled with cheese that provide a comforting and satisfying texture to the meal.

• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking fat that helps sear the chicken and create a smooth cooking surface.
• Minced Garlic: Flavorful ingredient that adds a rich, aromatic base to the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated tomato pieces that bring a tangy and intense flavor to the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Savory liquid that helps create a balanced and flavorful sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Rich dairy ingredient that provides a smooth and creamy texture to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and sharp cheese that adds depth and richness to the sauce.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy ingredient that adds a gentle heat to the dish.
• Thyme: Herb that provides a subtle earthy and slightly minty flavor.
• Cream Cheese, Butter: Ingredients that increase the sauce's creaminess and richness.
• Baby Spinach: Nutritious green that adds color and a mild, fresh taste.

• Fresh Basil: Bright herb that adds a fresh and aromatic finishing touch to the dish.

How To Prepare Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

Step 1: Season Chicken Generously

Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning all over the chicken pieces, ensuring every part gets a delicious coating of flavor.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Cook chicken pieces until they turn a beautiful golden brown on both sides, about 5-6 minutes. Once fully cooked, transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Awaken Aromatics

In the same skillet with remaining chicken drippings, sauté minced garlic until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to intensify their rich flavor.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce Base

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Stir ingredients until they blend smoothly. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and thyme.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Enhance Sauce Texture

• Cream cheese
• Butter

Stir until completely melted.

Toss in baby spinach for a pop of color and nutritional boost.

Step 6: Prepare Tortellini

Cook tortellini in a separate pot following package instructions.

Drain water completely and set aside.

Step 7: Bring Everything Together

Add cooked chicken and tortellini into the skillet with creamy sauce.

Gently fold everything together, ensuring each piece gets coated in the luxurious sauce.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors.

Pro Tips For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Pound chicken evenly for consistent cooking and tenderness, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned and juicy.
• Use fresh tortellini for best texture and flavor, cooking al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a pleasant bite.
• Select sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for richer, more intense flavor and smoother sauce consistency.
• Add spinach at the last moment to preserve its bright color and prevent wilting, maintaining a fresh and vibrant appearance.
• Experiment with different cheese variations like pecorino or asiago for unique flavor profiles while keeping the creamy sauce's essence.

Flavor Twists For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Vegetarian Tortellini: Replace chicken with roasted portobello mushrooms or grilled tofu, seasoned with same spices for rich, meaty texture.
• Seafood Version: Swap chicken for sautéed shrimp or scallops, adding a luxurious maritime flavor to the creamy sauce.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced jalapeños, cumin, and chili powder into the sauce, topping with cilantro and queso fresco for zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Use oregano, rosemary, and extra virgin olive oil, adding kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese for authentic Greek profile.

Pairing Ideas For Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

• Candlelight sets the mood for this luxurious meal perfect for impressing your special someone. Serve on elegant white plates with a crisp glass of white wine. Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy sauce.
• Transform this dish into a family-friendly meal by setting out small bowls of extra toppings like chopped fresh herbs, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes. Kids can customize their plates while enjoying a hearty, satisfying dinner that feels special and homemade.

Storage Advice For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Store leftover Marry Me Chicken Tortellini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Transfer cooled portions to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Separate sauce and pasta to prevent soggy texture when reheating.
• Thaw refrigerated or frozen dish in the refrigerator overnight. Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore sauce consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.

FAQs

The name comes from the incredibly delicious and rich flavor that’s so good, it might make someone propose marriage after tasting it.

• Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

Absolutely! Dried thyme and basil work perfectly if you don’t have fresh herbs. Just use about 1/3 of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes are optional, so you can control the heat level. Without them, the dish is creamy and mild with no significant spiciness.

• What kind of tortellini works best for this recipe?

Cheese tortellini is the most popular choice, but you can also use chicken or spinach-filled tortellini to complement the sauce’s flavors.

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Marry me chicken tortellini brings creamy Italian-inspired comfort to dinner tables across kitchens. Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken create an irresistible meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 package (9-12 oz) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and sliced)
• 1/2 cup baby spinach (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsps olive oil (for cooking)
• 2 tbsps cream cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tbsp fresh basil (chopped, for garnish)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare chicken by generously coating with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to ensure deep flavor penetration.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
3. Reduce skillet heat to medium and quickly sauté minced garlic for 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence. Introduce sun-dried tomatoes and briefly cook to enhance their rich, concentrated flavor.
4. Create the luxurious sauce by whisking chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese until smoothly integrated. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and thyme for subtle complexity. Allow sauce to simmer and reduce for 5-7 minutes until it reaches a velvety consistency.
5. Enhance sauce texture by incorporating cream cheese and butter, stirring until completely melted. Gently fold in baby spinach, allowing it to wilt and add vibrant color and nutritional depth.
6. Simultaneously cook tortellini in a separate pot according to package directions, ensuring al dente texture. Drain pasta thoroughly.
7. Reunite all components by returning chicken to the skillet and delicately folding in cooked tortellini, ensuring each piece is lavishly coated with the creamy sauce.
8. Elevate presentation by scattering fresh basil leaves on top and serving immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Choose chicken breasts that are uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help create a perfect golden-brown crust and enhance flavor absorption.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richer, more complex taste compared to pre-packaged options.
• For gluten-free version, swap regular tortellini with gluten-free cheese tortellini and use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening sauce.
• Lower sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and reducing added salt during seasoning.
• Add extra protein by incorporating grilled shrimp or crispy pancetta alongside chicken.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and prevent overcooking any component.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal spice tolerance for customized heat level.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 565 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg