Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken Broccoli

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a bowl of pure comfort? You know when it's been "one of those days", you need a pick me up dinner? My Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken is exactly that! It's cheesy, garlicky, and utterly delicious, with tender chicken and healthy broccoli.

Brief Overview

This creamy tortellini recipe is inspired by classic Italian American comfort food. Think of it as a hug in a bowl!.

It's easy to make, ready in about 35 minutes, and serves four hungry souls. Get ready for some serious Pasta Dinners magic!

Main Benefits

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken is packed with protein, thanks to the Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Tortellini . It's perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal that the whole family will love.

Honestly, what could be better? This is definitely your go to recipe for Easy weeknight tortellini.

Want to dive in?

Ingredients You'll Need

Alright, let's gather up what we need. For this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli , you'll need:

• 1 pound (450g) cooked chicken breast, diced
• 1 pound (450g) fresh or frozen cheese Tortellini
• 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup (240ml) milk
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish.

This recipe will surely make a delicious Garlic parmesan tortellini bake . I'm already drooling!

Let's Get Cooking: step-by-step Instructions

Ready to become a culinary wizard and nail this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken ? Fear not, it's easier than building a Lego set! Just follow these steps:

Okay, let’s dive into what you need to whip up this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli dish! It’s so easy, even I can make it after a particularly rough day attempting Pasta Dinners .

Honestly, you'll feel like a pro chef in your own kitchen.

Ingredients & Equipment for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken

So, before we get our aprons on, let's make sure we have everything ready. It's no fun realizing you're missing the Parmesan halfway through. I almost did it once!.

Main Ingredients

• Cooked chicken breast, diced: 1 pound (450g) . You want good quality chicken. Look for free range if you can!
• Fresh or frozen cheese Tortellini : 1 pound (450g) . Fresh is lovely, but frozen works a treat too.
• Broccoli florets: 1 head (about 4 cups) . Fresh and green!.
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) .
• Garlic, minced: 4 cloves . Fresh is best, honestly.
• Heavy cream: 1 cup (240ml) .
• Chicken broth: ½ cup (120ml) .
• Grated Parmesan cheese: ½ cup (50g) , plus more for serving. Get the good stuff, not the powdery stuff.
• Red pepper flakes: ¼ teaspoon (optional) .
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste.
• Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons (30g) .
• All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons .
• Milk: 1 cup (240ml) .
• Fresh parsley, chopped: for garnish (optional).

Seasoning Notes

Let's talk flavour! The garlic and parmesan are the stars. Red pepper flakes give a nice kick. A classic touch to the Garlic Parmesan Chicken pasta dinner.

• Garlic + Parmesan: Can't go wrong with that combo, can you?
• Salt and pepper: Season generously! It makes all the difference.
• Red pepper flakes: For a little heat. Skip it if you’re not a fan.
• Optional: A pinch of nutmeg in the sauce is yummy!. It gives it an unexpected warmth.

If you are missing fresh garlic, a teaspoon of garlic powder in the Parmesan garlic cream sauce for pasta is fine! Honestly, don't sweat it!

Equipment Needed

Simple is key. We are aiming for the Easy weeknight tortellini here.

• Large pot. For cooking the tortellini .
• Large skillet or sauté pan. This is our creamy tortellini recipe sauce central.
• Colander.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Cutting board.
• Knife.

Don't have a fancy skillet? A regular frying pan is fine. You know, whatever works! A saucepan can work too.

And that's it! Get all this prepped, and you're golden. Stay tuned for the next step turning these ingredients into a Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini Bake masterpiece.

I promise, even if you burn the garlic a little (we’ve all been there!), it’ll still be delicious. This Tortellini with chicken and vegetables will win you over! This Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta is a guaranteed success.

Okay, let’s dive into the fun part! We are going to be cooking up some fantastic Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken and broccoli.

Honestly, this is one of those Pasta Dinners that's perfect for a weeknight. You know, when you want something delicious but don't want to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen.

Let's Start Cooking: Prep Steps

First things first, mise en place! Get everything chopped and measured. Dice your cooked chicken breast (about 2 cups), mince those 4 cloves of garlic, and chop up that fresh parsley.

Time saving tip: You can buy pre-cooked chicken to save even more time. Now, make sure you wash all your veggies too. Safety first!

Cooking Made Easy: step-by-step

Here’s the magic:

1. Boil a large pot of salted water, cook the tortellini ( Tortellini cooking time is usually 3- 5 minutes ).
2. Steam the broccoli for about 5- 7 minutes until it is tender crisp.
3. Sauté the minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant (about 1 minute ). Don't burn it!
4. In the same pan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour to make a roux. Cook for 1 minute . Then, whisk in the milk and simmer to thicken. Stir in cream and broth.
5. Add cooked Chicken Tortellini , broccoli, and sauce to the skillet, toss it.
6. Stir in parmesan. Serve it, sprinkled with fresh parsley.

Insider Cooking Tips

Want to elevate this dish to the next level? I’ll tell you. First, always use freshly grated Parmesan it melts better.

Secondly, for a bit of a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Avoid overcooking the Tortellini or the sauce! No one likes mushy pasta or gloopy sauce. You can make the sauce ahead of time, store it in the fridge.

Okay, ready for some proper grub, that Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken. This is how you make restaurant quality Garlic Parmesan Chicken right in your kitchen.

This recipe is a comforting bowl of creamy tortellini recipe . Serve with crusty bread for dipping, and you've got an Easy weeknight tortellini that will knock your socks off.

The secret to making this the best is the Parmesan garlic cream sauce for pasta . You can even sneak in extra veggies for those picky eaters and make it Tortellini with chicken and vegetables .

This might even become your go-to Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta dish.

Recipe Notes for Your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken

Okay, so you're about to whip up some Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken ? Ace! Let's run through a few extra bits to make sure it's an absolute blinder.

I want you to taste the magic in Garlic Parmesan Chicken .

Serving Suggestions: Ace Presentation!

Honestly, plating can make all the difference, you know? For this creamy tortellini recipe , try arranging the Tortellini with Chicken and Vegetables in a shallow bowl.

Then, sprinkle some extra Parmesan and fresh parsley on top. Looks dead fancy, doesn't it?

A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness nicely. And crusty bread? Essential for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce! I find that a light Pinot Grigio is perfect with Chicken Tortellini

Storage Tips: No Waste Here!

If you have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container and into the fridge. They'll be good for up to 3 days. Seriously!

Freezing this Garlic Parmesan Tortellini Bake isn't the best idea. I tried it once and the sauce got a bit… weird. But leftovers in the fridge are perfectly great!

Reheating is easy. Just microwave it until it's heated through. Or, even better, gently warm it in a saucepan with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce. Just like new!

Variations: Mix It Up

Fancy a change? You can easily adapt this recipe. I did it for my mate Pete who has diet restrictions.

For a lighter option, try using milk instead of heavy cream for a slightly less rich Parmesan Garlic Cream Sauce for Pasta . Still tastes fab!

You can always swap the chicken for cooked Italian sausage or shrimp. Or if you're veggie, just leave out the meat and add some sun-dried tomatoes or extra broccoli.

Bingo, Pasta Dinners for everyone!

Nutrition Basics: The Good Stuff

Alright, let's keep it real. This dish is comforting and delicious, but it's not exactly health food. But hey, everything in moderation, right?

It's got a good dose of protein from the chicken , some veggies from the broccoli, and plenty of calcium from the Parmesan .

Think of it as a balanced treat! I like to make sure I have my easy weeknight tortellini with a side of grilled chicken.

So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking! This creamy chicken and broccoli pasta is sure to be a winner. You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli ahead of time?

While it's best served fresh, you can definitely prep components ahead! Cook the chicken and broccoli, and even make the sauce a day in advance. Store them separately in the fridge, then combine with the cooked tortellini right before serving.

Just remember the sauce might thicken as it sits, so you may need to add a splash of milk when reheating.

How do I store leftovers of the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli?

Leftovers are great for lunch the next day! Store the tortellini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, you might need to add a little milk or chicken broth to loosen up the sauce, as pasta tends to absorb the liquid.

Microwaving works fine, or you can gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat.

What are some good substitutions for broccoli in this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with...?

Not a fan of broccoli? No worries! Asparagus, peas, or even spinach would work beautifully in this dish. You could also try adding some sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly leafy greens like spinach will only need a minute or two to wilt in the sauce.

Is there a way to make this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini lighter?

Absolutely! To lighten things up, you can use half and-half or milk instead of heavy cream in the sauce. Another great trick is to use less Parmesan cheese and add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to brighten the flavor. You can also use whole wheat tortellini for extra fiber - every little helps, as they say!

Can I use frozen tortellini for this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli recipe?

Yes, you can absolutely use frozen tortellini! Just be sure to follow the package directions for cooking time, as it may differ from fresh tortellini. Usually, frozen tortellini only needs a few minutes in boiling water. Add the tortellini directly to the boiling water from frozen, no need to thaw it first.

What can I serve with this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli to make it a full meal?

This tortellini is already pretty satisfying, but a side salad of mixed greens with a light vinaigrette would be a perfect complement. Some crusty bread is also a great addition for sopping up all that delicious sauce - think ciabatta or a nice sourdough.

And if you're feeling fancy, a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio would pair wonderfully!