Craving a dinner that delivers bold flavor, creamy comfort, and a little heat all in one bite? Meet your new go-to: Spicy Garlic Chicken Tortellini in Cheesy Alfredo Cream. This dish marries tender tortellini stuffed with cheese, golden pan-seared chicken breast, and a velvety Alfredo sauce infused with garlic and spice—a crowd-pleaser that feels fancy but comes together fast.

Perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time but want maximum flavor, this dish is equally suited for impressing dinner guests or just elevating your pasta night. The creamy sauce hugs every pocket of tortellini, while the crispy, seasoned chicken adds protein and texture that ties everything together. It’s a flavor-forward meal that brings the heat and comfort in one skillet.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To bring this recipe to life, you’ll need a few key kitchen tools:

Large Skillet or Sauté Pan: For searing the chicken and simmering the sauce evenly. A deep skillet prevents splashes and allows room for mixing.
Tongs: Ideal for flipping chicken without tearing the golden crust.
Medium Pot: For boiling the tortellini until al dente.
Whisk: Helps emulsify the Alfredo cream for that smooth, restaurant-quality texture.
Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For prepping your garlic, herbs, and slicing the cooked chicken.

Having these tools handy makes prep smoother and ensures even cooking—especially for balancing the creamy sauce with the bold spices in this dish.

Ingredients for the Spicy Garlic Chicken Tortellini in Cheesy Alfredo Cream

Cheese Tortellini: The star of the dish, these pockets of pasta bring richness and body, perfectly catching the sauce in every bite.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Sliced and seared to lock in juicy flavor, the chicken adds hearty protein.
Heavy Cream: Forms the base of the Alfredo sauce, delivering a creamy, luxurious texture.
Garlic (Minced): Infuses the entire dish with a bold, aromatic base.
Parmesan Cheese (Freshly Grated): Melts into the cream for a sharp, nutty richness.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds heat that balances the richness of the cream.
Butter: Used for sautéing garlic and adding depth to the sauce.
Olive Oil: Helps create that golden sear on the chicken.
Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances the flavors throughout.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a final touch of brightness and color.

How To Make the Spicy Garlic Chicken Tortellini in Cheesy Alfredo Cream

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Generously season chicken breast slices with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Tortellini

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, lower heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Stir in heavy cream and reserved pasta water, then bring to a light simmer.

Step 4: Melt in the Cheese

Add grated Parmesan cheese and whisk continuously until smooth and thickened. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for that spicy kick.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Return the tortellini to the skillet and toss in the sauce. Slice the seared chicken and arrange it on top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot.

How to Serve and Store This Dish

Serve the Spicy Garlic Chicken Tortellini hot and straight from the skillet. Garnish with extra Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes for added kick. Pair with garlic bread or a simple green salad to balance the richness.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving for too long, as it may cause the sauce to split.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of tortellini should I use?

Cheese tortellini works best for this recipe, but you can also use spinach or mushroom stuffed varieties for a twist.

Can I substitute the chicken breast?

Absolutely. Chicken thighs, shrimp, or even grilled tofu can be used as tasty alternatives.

Is this dish very spicy?

It has a medium heat level from the red pepper flakes. You can reduce or omit them if you prefer a milder flavor.

Can I use jarred Alfredo sauce?

While homemade sauce gives the best flavor, you can use a quality jarred Alfredo in a pinch. Just enhance it with fresh garlic and cheese.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

It’s best fresh, but you can prepare the components separately and combine them when ready to serve. Keep the sauce and tortellini separate until reheating.

What wine pairs well with this dish?

A crisp white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio complements the creamy, garlicky flavors beautifully.

Want More Chicken Pasta Ideas?

You might also enjoy the ultra-comforting Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Recipe, a spicy, cheesy twist on a classic bake. Or, for a stovetop option, the One Pot Spicy BBQ Chicken Cheeseburger Pasta delivers a smoky, savory punch with minimal cleanup.

Love garlic and Alfredo? Don’t miss the Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni for a hearty, meat-forward option.

If baked pasta’s your thing, try the Best Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti for a creamy, oven-kissed finish.

Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

You can save this to your dinner ideas or pasta boards for later—just hit the Pin button!

If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you make it spicier? Did you swap in shrimp or add mushrooms? Leave a comment below. I’m always curious how others make it their own.

For more comfort food ideas and my daily recipe inspiration, check out my Pinterest page: LadyPlate on Pinterest.

Spicy Garlic Chicken Tortellini in Cheesy Alfredo Cream

Author: Julia Koch
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This dish brings together juicy seared chicken breast, tender cheese tortellini, and a spicy garlic Alfredo sauce that’s creamy, rich, and easy to make in under 40 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight comfort meal with a bold flavor punch.

Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and fully cooked. Remove and slice.

3. In a medium pot, cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.

4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Pour in the heavy cream and reserved pasta water. Bring to a gentle simmer.

6. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk until sauce is smooth and thickened.

7. Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes for heat.

8. Toss cooked tortellini into the sauce until well coated.

9. Add sliced chicken back to the skillet. Mix gently.

10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Don’t skip reserving pasta water—it helps emulsify and thicken the Alfredo sauce.

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor—pre-shredded won’t blend as smoothly.

For a less spicy version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 580
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 580mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 37g
Cholesterol: 125mg

Keywords: garlic chicken tortellini, alfredo tortellini, spicy alfredo pasta