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.
Ingredients
9 oz cheese tortellini
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup heavy cream
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
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