Description
Creamy chicken tortellini with veggies brings comfort and elegance to weeknight dining, blending Italian-inspired pasta with hearty ingredients. Cheese-filled tortellini swim in a silky sauce, surrounded by tender chicken and colorful vegetables that promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 package (20 ounces/567 grams) cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Vegetables:
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook tortellini following package directions until perfectly tender, approximately 3-4 minutes. Drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, roughly 6 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate.
- In the identical skillet, introduce remaining olive oil. Quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 30 seconds. Introduce bell peppers and zucchini, cooking for 4-5 minutes until edges become slightly caramelized.
- Incorporate cherry tomatoes and spinach into the vegetable mixture. Cook until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften, around 2 minutes.
- Create sauce by melting butter in the skillet’s empty section. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking smoothly. Integrate Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return cooked chicken to skillet. Fold in reserved tortellini, ensuring every element is thoroughly heated and generously coated with creamy sauce.
- Plate immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired. Serve piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by marinating chicken in Italian herbs and garlic for at least 30 minutes before cooking for deeper taste profiles.
- Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, lower-calorie version without compromising creamy texture.
- Customize vegetable mix by adding seasonal produce like asparagus, mushrooms, or roasted butternut squash for varied nutrition and color.
- For gluten-free option, replace tortellini with gluten-free cheese tortellini or swap with zucchini noodles to maintain dish’s delicious essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg