One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe
A comforting and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken pieces and cheesy tortellini simmered in a spicy garlic butter cream sauce. This easy-to-make recipe combines sautéing and simmering in a single pot, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner packed with rich flavors and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
Sauce and Seasonings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Into the same pot, melt a bit more butter if needed. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes to infuse heat into the butter sauce.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits for extra flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are tender and heated through.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Let the entire dish cook together for another 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors. Finally, stir in the chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh tortellini or ravioli for best texture; frozen works but may require slight adjustment to cooking time.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier results.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer a little longer or add a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: one pot chicken tortellini, garlic butter chicken, creamy tortellini, spicy chicken pasta, easy one pot dinner
