Pin it
My Marry Me Chicken Tortellini has become a legendary dish in my kitchen. The magic happens when tender chicken meets cheese filled pasta swimming in a creamy sun dried tomato sauce. After making this countless times I can tell you it's the kind of meal that makes any night feel special.
What Makes This Recipe Special
I love how this dish brings together simple ingredients to create something that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. The cream sauce gets incredible depth from sun dried tomatoes while the tortellini and fresh spinach make it a complete meal. Best part? It all comes together in one pan.
Essential Ingredients
- Chicken: I cube mine and season with Italian herbs it turns out so tender and flavorful.
- Cheese Tortellini: Fresh or refrigerated both work beautifully in this dish.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These little flavor bombs in olive oil make the sauce incredible.
- Spinach: Fresh baby spinach adds color and makes me feel good about serving it.
- Heavy Cream: Creates that silky sauce we all dream about.
- Parmesan Cheese: Always fresh never pre grated for the best flavor.
Step-by-Step Preparation
- Season and Dredge Chicken:
- Cut your chicken into nice bite sized pieces season well then give it a light coat of flour.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Get your pan hot with butter and olive oil then cook that chicken until golden and perfect.
- Build the Sauce:
- Sauté those aromatics with sun dried tomatoes add tomato paste and broth scraping up all the good bits.
- Simmer Tortellini:
- Add your pasta right to the sauce cover and let it cook until tender.
- Finish and Serve:
- Back goes the chicken along with spinach cream and plenty of Parmesan top with fresh basil.
My Best Tips
Always spring for fresh Parmesan it makes such a difference in flavor. Cut everything into similar sizes so each bite is perfect. Sometimes I switch things up with Italian sausage or add extra veggies like mushrooms. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it a lovely warmth.
Keeping It Fresh
This keeps beautifully in the fridge for about five days. The pasta will soak up some sauce so when you reheat add a splash of water to bring back that creamy texture. Gentle heat on the stovetop works best.
Common Questions
Can I make this gluten-free? Absolutely just use your favorite gluten free pasta and flour for the chicken. Want it vegetarian? Skip the chicken use veggie broth you won't miss a thing. Storing leftovers? Pop them in an airtight container they'll stay good for 5 days just add a bit of water when reheating.
What to Serve With It
We love this with a simple green salad on the side or some roasted broccoli. Don't forget crusty garlic bread for soaking up that amazing sauce. A glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc makes it feel extra special.
Why Everyone Loves It
This dish has everything going for it delicious sauce tender chicken cheesy pasta and fresh spinach all coming together in one pan. It's fancy enough for company but easy enough for Tuesday night that's what makes it so perfect.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I reheat leftovers?
- Add a splash of water when reheating as tortellini tends to absorb sauce. This helps restore the creamy consistency.
- → Can I use different sized packages of tortellini?
- Yes, the recipe is flexible with tortellini amount. Adjust broth slightly up or down based on package size.
- → Why cut chicken into small chunks?
- Small chunks cook quickly and evenly, making this truly a 25-minute meal.
- → Can I use different vegetables?
- While spinach and sun-dried tomatoes complement the flavors well, you could substitute other quick-cooking vegetables.
- → What pan works best?
- A large cast iron skillet or ceramic-coated nonstick skillet works best for even cooking and preventing sticking.