Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Recipe

Dreamy Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Recipe for Cozy Evenings

Culinary magic happens when you whip up this chicken tortellini alfredo that promises pure comfort.

Creamy sauce coats every tender pasta pocket with luxurious flavor.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers unexpected delight.

Home cooks can easily craft a restaurant-quality meal in minutes.

Rich parmesan and silky cream create a dreamy backdrop for succulent chicken pieces.

Cheese lovers will swoon over the decadent combination of ingredients.

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Standout Flavor Combo

  • Quick Weeknight Meal: Whip up this delicious chicken tortellini Alfredo in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Family-Friendly Comfort Food: Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and cheesy tortellini combine to create a crowd-pleasing dish that even picky eaters will love, guaranteed to bring smiles around the dinner table.
  • Versatile One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking process with this single-skillet recipe that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.
  • Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping chicken for shrimp, adding vegetables, or experimenting with different seasonings to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Ingredients

Pasta Base:
  • Cheese Tortellini: Soft, cheese-filled pasta that creates the hearty foundation of the dish, available fresh or refrigerated for convenience.
Protein:
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Lean protein that adds substance and flavor, best when cubed for even cooking and quick integration.
Sauce Components:
  • Heavy Cream, Grated Parmesan Cheese: Rich, creamy base that provides luxurious texture and deep cheese flavor, classic for traditional Alfredo sauce.
  • Unsalted Butter, Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic richness, enhancing overall sauce complexity.
Seasonings:
  • Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Balanced herb blend and essential seasoning that elevates the dish's overall taste profile.
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and light herbal note.
Cooking Liquid:
  • Olive Oil: Versatile cooking fat for sautéing chicken and preventing sticking, with a subtle Mediterranean flavor.

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Prep Steps

Step 1: Boil and Prep Tortellini

Follow the package directions to cook the tortellini.

Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for the delicious sauce.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the chicken cubes and season with:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Cook the chicken until it turns golden brown and is completely cooked through.

Transfer the chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Sauté until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant, which takes about a minute.

Step 4: Develop Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Pour in heavy cream and let it come to a gentle simmer.

Slowly whisk in Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.

Step 5: Season the Sauce

Sprinkle in Italian seasoning.

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor.

Step 6: Combine and Coat

Add the cooked tortellini and chicken to the sauce.

Gently toss everything together, making sure each piece is generously coated with the creamy Alfredo.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top.

Serve the dish immediately while it’s hot and incredibly delicious.

Step-by-Step Help for Creamy Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

  • Choose fresh or frozen tortellini for the best texture and flavor, ensuring a delightful base for your creamy dish.
  • Pat chicken dry before cubing to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior and lock in moisture.
  • Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for a silkier, more luxurious Alfredo sauce without lumps.
  • Swap tortellini with zucchini noodles or cauliflower for a lighter, keto-friendly version of the recipe.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of white wine to elevate the sauce's complexity and depth.

Reheat Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Without Overcooking

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or cream over the tortellini before microwaving to prevent dryness, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval.
  • Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore sauce's creamy consistency and prevent sticking.
  • Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain best quality and flavor.

Ideal Plates with Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly cut through the rich, creamy Alfredo sauce, balancing the dish's heaviness with bright, refreshing acidity.
  • Complement with Garlic Bread: Toasted, buttery garlic bread provides a crunchy texture contrast to the soft tortellini and offers an additional garlic flavor dimension that enhances the overall meal.
  • Match with Fresh Salad: Light mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette creates a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy, indulgent chicken tortellini, adding nutritional balance and palate-cleansing brightness.
  • Select Sparkling Water: Chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon helps cleanse the palate between bites, cutting through the richness and providing a clean, crisp accompaniment to the creamy dish.

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo with Creamy Add-Ins

  • Vegetarian Comfort: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or crispy tofu cubes for a plant-based protein option.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap traditional tortellini with gluten-free cheese or spinach tortellini made from alternative flour blends.
  • Low-Carb Option: Substitute tortellini with zucchini noodles or cauliflower gnocchi to reduce carbohydrate content.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese for a creamy, lactose-free version.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen tortellini for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen tortellini. Just cook it according to the package instructions and ensure it’s fully thawed before adding to the sauce.

  • Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Substitute the chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a delicious vegetarian version.

  • What type of Parmesan cheese works best?

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest and richest flavor. Pre-grated cheese can make the sauce grainy.

  • How can I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

If the Alfredo sauce becomes too thick, slowly whisk in a little warm chicken broth or additional heavy cream to reach your desired consistency.

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Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Recipe

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

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

Description

Creamy chicken tortellini alfredo brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with luxurious pasta and rich sauce. Cheesy, herb-infused goodness promises a delightful meal you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cubed)
  • 2 cups cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Herbs:

  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Cooking Fats:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare tortellini by following the package directions, then thoroughly drain and reserve to the side.
  2. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, then introduce cubed chicken pieces seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook until the exterior turns golden brown and the meat is completely cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a separate plate.
  3. Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and melt butter, immediately adding minced garlic. Sauté until the garlic releases its aromatic essence, carefully avoiding burning.
  4. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, allowing it to reach a gentle simmering state. Slowly incorporate Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to create a silky, uniform sauce.
  5. Enhance the sauce with Italian seasoning, then fine-tune the flavor profile by adjusting salt and pepper according to personal preference.
  6. Introduce the previously cooked tortellini and reserved chicken into the creamy sauce, gently stirring to ensure every morsel is luxuriously coated with the Alfredo mixture.
  7. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish as a vibrant garnish, then serve the tortellini immediately while the sauce remains warm and inviting.

Notes

  • Maximize flavor by seasoning chicken generously with herbs and spices beyond salt and pepper for deeper taste profile.
  • Choose refrigerated tortellini over frozen for better texture and quicker cooking time.
  • Prevent sauce from breaking by adding Parmesan cheese slowly and maintaining low-medium heat during incorporation.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting regular tortellini with gluten-free pasta alternatives and using cornstarch instead of traditional flour-based thickening methods.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 680
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 42 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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