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30-Minute Garlic Chicken Tortellini That Will Melt Your Heart

Garlic Chicken Tortellini
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A quick and flavorful garlic chicken tortellini dish with a rich cowboy butter sauce and fire-roasted red peppers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini (or 18–20 oz frozen)
  • 1 (12 oz) jar fire-roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (plus more to garnish)
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional, for serving)
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (more/less to taste)
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth (or reserved pasta water)
  • Optional: 1 tsp honey (balances heat)

Instructions

  1. Cook tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Season chicken: Toss chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  3. Sear chicken: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 6–8 minutes, turning until browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
  4. Make cowboy butter: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Build the sauce: Stir in Dijon, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth (or a splash of reserved pasta water). Simmer 1–2 minutes.
  6. Add peppers + toss: Stir in fire-roasted red peppers and return chicken to the skillet. Add tortellini and toss until glossy and coated. If needed, loosen with more reserved pasta water.
  7. Finish: Stir in parsley. Taste and adjust (more lemon for brightness, more salt, more pepper flakes for heat). Serve with Parmesan.

Notes

  • Use fresh tortellini for best texture.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
  • Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan for serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic Chicken Tortellini, cowboy butter chicken pasta, tortellini dinner recipe, fire roasted red pepper pasta, easy chicken tortellini, 30 minute pasta dinner

Find it online: https://jessicarecipe.com/garlic-chicken-tortellini-recipe/