Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini delivers tender chicken and pillowy cheese tortellini in a creamy sun dried tomato sauce that always wins rave reviews. It comes together in just one pan and never fails to transform even an ordinary evening into something memorable. The flavors are rich and comforting making this a go to meal when I want something cozy but still quick for busy weeknights.

The first time I made this was for an anniversary dinner at home and it was such a hit we now make it on repeat even for weeknight meals. It is the recipe my friends always request when company comes over.

Ingredients

• Frozen cheese tortellini: gives an incredible chewy texture and soaks up the sauce beautifully choose a trusted brand with real cheese filling
• Olive oil: brings out the richness when browning the chicken look for extra virgin for the freshest taste
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: are lean and juicy but you can use thighs for more flavor always trim excess fat for best results
• Black pepper and Italian seasoning: add herbal warmth and depth check for a blend that is heavy on basil and oregano
• Paprika: deepens the color and adds gentle smoky flavor buy smoked paprika if you can for even more flavor
• Butter: makes the sauce silky splurge on high quality for the creamiest finish
• Sun dried tomatoes in oil: give sweet tangy flavor chop finely to release the most fragrance select jars with plump tomatoes in olive oil
• Fresh garlic: builds aromatics fresh minced is always best
• Low sodium chicken broth: lets you control the saltiness check the label to avoid any artificial flavors
• Heavy cream: creates the rich sauce choose organic for luxe texture
• Parmesan cheese: melts in for umami depth buy fresh and grate at home for best melt
• Chopped baby spinach: adds color and a fresh note skip wilted leaves and pick vibrant green bunches
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish: makes the whole dish pop use freshly chopped for real flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Season and Sear the Chicken:

Pat chicken dry and toss it with black pepper Italian seasoning and paprika in a bowl for even coverage. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for five to seven minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside covered to keep warm. Browning builds a rich flavor foundation for the sauce.

Sauté Aromatics and Sun Dried Tomatoes:

Melt butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for about one minute until fragrant do not let it burn. Add sun dried tomatoes and sauté for two more minutes which infuses the oil and butter with their sweet tangy flavor.

Build the Creamy Sauce:

Pour in chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up every browned bit stuck at the skillet bottom. Stir in heavy cream Italian seasoning black pepper and paprika. Stir gently and bring to a bare simmer. This slow heating thickens the sauce and blends the spices while keeping cream silky.

Cook the Tortellini:

Add frozen cheese tortellini straight into the sauce making sure each piece is covered. Lower heat cover skillet and let it cook for five to seven minutes until pasta is tender and plump. Stir once midway for even cooking and to keep it from sticking.

Finish and Assemble:

Return cooked chicken and any juices to the pan. Sprinkle in finely shredded Parmesan cheese and stir until melted through and sauce thickens to your liking. Gently fold in chopped spinach just until wilted about two minutes for pops of green color and freshness.

Rest and Garnish:

Remove from heat and allow the pan to sit for a few minutes so the sauce can set slightly. Scatter fresh chopped parsley or basil over the top before serving for a restaurant style finish.

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Storage Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. For best texture reheat gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. Try to store the garnish herbs separately to add fresh when serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap chicken breasts for boneless thighs if you love extra juicy meat. For a vegetarian version use mushrooms in place of chicken and pick vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. If you want a lighter dish substitute half and half for the heavy cream and look for lower fat cheese tortellini. Those who like spice can toss in crushed red pepper flakes with the aromatics.

Serving Suggestions

This skillet meal pairs wonderfully with crusty bread to soak up the sauce or a crisp green salad for contrast. At a dinner party I sometimes serve it with grilled asparagus or garlic roasted broccoli. For extra elegance offer extra grated Parmesan at the table.

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A Bit of History

Marry Me Chicken became famous for being so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal. Adding cheese tortellini takes the classic creamy chicken and sun dried tomato combo and turns it into a hearty complete meal. This twist has become a family favorite and brings everyone together from the youngest to the oldest.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use refrigerated tortellini instead of frozen?

Yes, you can substitute refrigerated tortellini. Adjust cook time as they may soften faster.

→ What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Gently warm in a skillet with a splash of broth or milk, stirring until heated through and creamy.

→ Can this dish be made vegetarian?

For a meatless option, swap chicken for mushrooms or extra tortellini and use vegetable broth.

→ How can I make it spicier?

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or while sautéing the garlic for extra heat.

→ Is it possible to make this lighter?

For a lighter version, use half-and-half or light cream in place of heavy cream without sacrificing richness.

→ Can I use gluten-free tortellini?

Absolutely—choose your favorite gluten-free tortellini to suit your dietary needs.