Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
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Our Marry Me Chicken Tortellini recipe will be familiar if you’ve ever had the famous “Marry Me Chicken”! You already know the vibe: creamy, savory, just a little bit spicy, and the kind of dinner that makes people hover around the stove asking when it will be ready.
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
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This Marry Me Tortellini with chicken takes all those same flavors of our favorite classic chicken dish and turns them into a cozy one-pan pasta dinner. Tender bite-sized chicken, pillowy cheese tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan, and a creamy sauce that clings to every bite.
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It’s rich. It’s comforting. It tastes like something you spent all afternoon making, but it’s actually ready in about 30 minutes.
Honestly, if someone served this to me on a first date, I’d at least consider the proposal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe checks a lot of weeknight dinner boxes.
It’s quick enough for busy nights, but feels fancy enough for company. The creamy parmesan sauce is packed with flavor thanks to garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a touch of red pepper flakes. And using frozen tortellini keeps things easy while still making the dish feel hearty and satisfying.
Plus it’s all made in one pan, which means fewer dishes and more time to enjoy dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Boneless, skinless chicken
- Salt & pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Butter
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Frozen cheese tortellini
Step By Step Directions
- Start by tossing the diced chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the seasoned chicken. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, then remove it from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Add the frozen tortellini, cover the pan, and reduce the heat to low. Let the tortellini cook until tender.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir in the parmesan cheese until everything is coated in the creamy sauce. Serve warm and watch it disappear.
Tips for Making the Creamiest Marry Me Tortellini
The secret to a smooth, creamy pasta sauce isn’t complicated, but a few small tricks make a big difference.
First, keep the heat moderate when adding the cream. Cooking it too hot can cause the sauce to separate instead of staying silky.
Second, freshly shredded parmesan melts much better than the pre-shredded kind. Packaged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make sauces grainy.
Finally, if your sauce thickens more than you’d like, simply stir in a splash of chicken broth, milk, or pasta water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
These little tweaks help create that rich, velvety sauce that coats every bite of tortellini and chicken.
Why Is It Called “Marry Me” Chicken Tortellini?
If you’ve spent any time scrolling food blogs or Pinterest in the last few years, you’ve probably seen recipes with the name “Marry Me Chicken.” The idea is simple: the dish is supposedly so good that if you serve it to someone, they might immediately propose.
A little dramatic? Maybe. But once you taste the creamy garlic parmesan sauce, the sweet-tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and the touch of heat from red pepper flakes, the name starts to make sense.
The original version is typically made with chicken served over pasta or rice. This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini version turns it into a full one-pan meal by adding cheesy tortellini right into the sauce so everything cooks together.
And while I can’t guarantee a marriage proposal, I can say there probably won’t be leftovers.
More Delicious Tortellini Recipes
- Tortellini Alfredo Recipe
- Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini Recipe
- Tortellini Salad Recipe
- Tortellini Soup Recipe
- Baked Tortellini Recipe
- See all our best tortellini recipes!
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite size pieces
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 19 ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini
Instructions
- Toss the diced chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat melt the butter and add the chicken. Cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Add the frozen tortellini. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 7–9 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender.
- Return the chicken to the pan and stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce slightly grainy because of anti-caking agents.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes, or leave them out entirely for a mild dish.
- If the sauce gets too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth, milk, or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Leftovers reheat well, but the sauce may thicken in the fridge. Add a little broth or milk when reheating to loosen it up.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Tools We Love
- Enameled Cast Iron – Perfect for these delicious one-pot meals. From stove top to oven!
- White Serving Bowls – Love a simple serving dish! This one is perfect for holiday meals.
- Wooden Spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
More Easy Chicken Dinners
- Mustard Chicken Recipe
- Chicken Stroganoff Recipe
- Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Cashew Chicken Recipe
- Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
- See all our best chicken dinner recipes!
Final Thoughts
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is the kind of dinner that feels special but comes together with very little effort. Creamy parmesan sauce, tender chicken, and cheesy tortellini make a rich, comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Reduce the cooking time slightly since refrigerated tortellini cooks faster.
It’s best fresh, but leftovers reheat well. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen the sauce.
Only mildly. The red pepper flakes are optional, so you can leave them out if you prefer.
Absolutely. Boneless skinless thighs work great and add extra flavor.
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