One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini Recipe
This One-Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, fresh cheese tortellini, and a rich garlic butter sauce with a spicy kick from crushed red pepper flakes. Cooked all in one pot, it’s a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 2 cups fresh cheese tortellini (or ravioli)
Sauce & Flavorings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Season chicken with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat and cook the chicken pieces until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same pot, add a bit more butter if needed, then sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, adjusting the amount based on your preferred spice level.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to incorporate extra flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Tortellini: Add the fresh cheese tortellini to the simmering sauce and cook for 4–6 minutes until the pasta is tender and heated through.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Let the entire dish cook together for another 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Fresh tortellini cooks much faster than dried; if using dried, extend cooking time accordingly.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for leaner protein.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh herbs add brightness; parsley provides a mild flavor while basil adds a sweet, aromatic note.
- This dish is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: one pot, spicy chicken, garlic butter, tortellini, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy recipe
