One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe

Introduction

This One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, flavorful meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Packed with tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
• 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

1. Step 1: Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, melt the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and stir to combine.
3. Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Add the fresh tortellini to the pot and cook for 4–6 minutes, or until tender and heated through.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Let everything cook together for another 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For milder heat, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
• Swap chicken for Italian sausage for a different protein twist.
• Use spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for added color and nutrients.
• If fresh tortellini isn’t available, frozen works well too—just adjust cooking time accordingly.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen tortellini can be used. Just cook it a minute or two longer in the sauce until tender, as it usually requires more time than fresh.

How spicy is this dish?

The level of spiciness depends on how much crushed red pepper flakes you add. Start with less if you prefer a mild heat, and adjust to taste.

One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 100 reviews

This One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, fresh cheese tortellini, and a rich garlic butter sauce with a spicy kick from red pepper flakes. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe combines simple ingredients in one pot for easy cleanup without sacrificing flavor.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 4 tbsp butter

Sauce and Pasta

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Sauté the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pot, add a little more butter if needed and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes to incorporate the spice evenly.
3. Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to deepen the flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and heated through.
5. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Let the mixture cook together for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors. Finally, sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

• Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
• Use fresh tortellini for the best texture, but frozen tortellini can be substituted—just adjust the cooking time as needed.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy alternative, though this may affect creaminess.
• Grated Parmesan can be replaced with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
• To add extra veggies, try stirring in spinach or mushrooms before adding the chicken broth.

Keywords: one-pot, chicken recipe, spicy garlic butter, tortellini, easy dinner, creamy pasta, weeknight meal