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When weeknight dinners call for something fast, flavorful, and downright comforting, this One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is an absolute game-changer. It beautifully balances tender chicken pieces, pillowy tortellini, and a luscious, garlicky butter sauce with just the right kick of spice. With every bite, you get a rich, creamy texture infused with vibrant herbs and that addictive zing from crushed red pepper flakes. This dish isn’t just easy to whip up; it’s a full-on celebration of bold flavors coming together effortlessly in a single pot.

One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, making the dish both approachable and irresistibly tasty. From the creamy cheese tortellini to the fragrant fresh garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, each element adds depth, richness, and color to bring your One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini to life.

1 lb chicken breast or thighs: Choose your favorite cut; bite-sized pieces cook quickly and get nicely browned.
2 cups fresh cheese tortellini: They create that perfect soft, cheesy bite that soaks up the sauce beautifully.
4 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic is the heart of the sauce, delivering wonderful aromatic intensity.
4 tbsp butter: Adds richness and helps create the silky garlic butter base.
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes: Adjustable heat that wakes up all the flavors without overpowering.
2 cups chicken broth: Builds the savory liquid foundation, keeping everything moist and flavorful.
1 cup heavy cream: Brings luxurious creaminess that coats the tortellini and chicken perfectly.
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds umami and a slightly nutty finish that ties the sauce together.
1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped: A fresh, green touch to brighten the flavors just before serving.
Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that enhance every component.

How to Make One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini

Step 1: Sauté the Chicken

Start by seasoning your bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, melt half of your butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook it until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown crust and is cooked through, which usually takes about 6–8 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside for now. This step is crucial because browning the chicken adds incredible flavor depth to the entire dish.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Using the same pot, melt a bit more butter to keep all those fond bits that developed from the chicken on the bottom—they’re flavor gold. Add the minced garlic and sauté just until it becomes fragrant, around 30 seconds. Immediately add the crushed red pepper flakes for that spicy kick. Stir everything together so the garlic infuses the butter and the heat gets evenly distributed.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Next, pour in the chicken broth. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot with your spoon to lift all those delicious browned bits into the liquid. Then stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This combination creates the rich, creamy base that will soak into your tortellini and chicken, giving each bite a velvety finish.

Step 4: Cook the Tortellini

Once your sauce is simmering, add the fresh cheese tortellini. Let them cook right in the pot for 4 to 6 minutes until they’re tender but still maintain a slight bite. Cooking the tortellini in the sauce means they’ll absorb all that garlicky, buttery goodness.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

It’s time to reunite the chicken with the sauce. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pot and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt beautifully, thickening the sauce and adding an irresistible savory note. Let everything cook together for another 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld perfectly before you dig in.

How to Serve One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley is the perfect finishing touch, adding a burst of color and freshness that offsets the richness of the sauce. A little extra parm on top never hurts either, especially if you’re feeding cheese lovers.

Side Dishes

Although this One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is quite the complete meal, pairing it with a crisp, lightly dressed green salad or some roasted vegetables can add a pleasant crunch and some extra vitamins to the plate. Garlic bread or a warm crusty loaf also makes a fantastic side to soak up every last drop of that luscious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve this dish in individual shallow bowls topped with a drizzle of infused chili oil or a dollop of cooling Greek yogurt to balance the spice. If you want to impress guests, garnish with edible flowers or microgreens for an elegant touch that’s sure to wow.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any of this delicious One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini leftover (though it’s rare!), store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually deepen overnight, making next-day meals just as delightful.

Freezing

You can freeze leftovers, but the texture of fresh tortellini may change slightly after thawing. For best results, cool the dish completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

Reheat your leftovers over low heat in a saucepan or in the microwave using short bursts to prevent the cream sauce from separating. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it back up to a creamy consistency.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Frozen tortellini works well but may require an extra minute or two of cooking. Just watch it closely to avoid overcooking and turning mushy.

How spicy is the One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini?

The heat mainly comes from crushed red pepper flakes, which you can adjust to your preference. Start with less if you prefer mild, or add more for serious kick. The creamy sauce also helps mellow out the spice.

Is it better to use chicken breast or thighs?

Both work wonderfully. Chicken breast is leaner, while thighs have more fat and flavor. Choose depending on your taste and what you have on hand.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and use a plant-based butter or olive oil. Replace chicken with sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a satisfying twist.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken. Keep in mind the sauce won’t be as rich or creamy but will still be delicious.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini enough for busy nights when you crave comfort without fuss. It’s a beautiful harmony of flavors and textures that feels luxurious yet comes together quickly. Give it a try—you might just find your new go-to weeknight favorite!

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One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 8 reviews

Author: Matteo
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a rich garlic butter sauce with a spicy kick. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it comes together quickly in a single pot, minimizing cleanup while maximizing taste.

Instructions

Sauté the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are browned on the outside and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside for later.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pot, add a little more butter if needed and sauté the minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes to infuse the sauce with a spicy kick.
Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini are tender and heated through.
Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the cheese melts into the sauce, creating a creamy coating. Let the mixture cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs will be juicier and more flavorful.
Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
Fresh tortellini cooks faster than frozen; monitor closely to avoid overcooking.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream option.
If fresh herbs are unavailable, dried basil or parsley can be used but add less as they are more concentrated.
Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot when adding broth to incorporate all the flavor from the chicken.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing, Simmering
Cuisine: Italian-American