Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli is a rich, hearty one-pan meal packed with flavor and comfort. Juicy chicken, tender cheese-filled tortellini, and crisp-tender broccoli are coated in a garlicky, cheesy cream sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it brings everything I want in a single dish—protein, pasta, veggies, and a creamy, comforting sauce. It’s fast, family-friendly, and totally satisfying. The sauce is loaded with garlic and parmesan, and the tortellini makes every bite feel a little extra special. Plus, I only need one skillet to make it all come together.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Olive oil
• Salt and black pepper
• Garlic, minced
• Refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• Broccoli florets
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Butter
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Directions

1. I season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook it in a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat until golden and fully cooked. I remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
2. In the same skillet, I add a bit of butter and sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. I pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. I add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions—usually about 6–8 minutes. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, I stir in the broccoli so it becomes bright green and tender.
4. I reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. I let it simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the tortellini.
5. I return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until heated through. I season to taste with more salt, pepper, and optional Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes.
6. I garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

This recipe serves 4 and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that feels a little indulgent without being overcomplicated.

Variations

• I swap the chicken for cooked sausage or shrimp when I want to switch things up.
• Sometimes I use spinach instead of broccoli, stirring it in at the end until wilted.
• For a lighter version, I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
• A touch of lemon zest adds brightness and balances the richness of the sauce.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or cream to bring the sauce back to life.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini?

Yes, I use frozen tortellini often. I just add a minute or two to the cooking time and make sure it’s tender before finishing the sauce.

How do I keep the broccoli from getting mushy?

I add it in the last few minutes of cooking so it stays bright and firm. I also avoid covering the pan during this step.

What kind of Parmesan works best?

I always go with freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture. Pre-shredded cheese can be clumpy and doesn’t melt as smoothly.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Definitely. I leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. It’s still rich and satisfying with the tortellini and broccoli.

Is this freezer-friendly?

I don’t recommend freezing it—cream sauces can separate and the tortellini tends to get mushy. It’s best enjoyed fresh or reheated from the fridge.

Conclusion

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli is a one-pan wonder that delivers on all fronts: it’s creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and full of texture from the tender chicken and fresh broccoli. When I want a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner without a ton of cleanup, this is the recipe I turn to every time.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli

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• Author: Linda
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner, Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop, One-Pan
• Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

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Description

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli is a hearty one-pan dinner made with tender chicken, cheese tortellini, and crisp broccoli in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. This easy tortellini recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 (9–12 oz) package refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1½ cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

• Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions (6–8 minutes).
• In the last 3 minutes of cooking, stir in broccoli and cook until bright green and tender.
• Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer gently until sauce thickens slightly.
• Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat everything in the sauce. Add Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes if using.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

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Notes

• Use frozen tortellini—just add an extra 1–2 minutes to the cooking time.
• Swap chicken for cooked sausage or shrimp for variation.
• Spinach can replace broccoli—stir in at the end until wilted.
• For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of cream.
• Reheat with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.