Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli

Introduction

The kitchen smelled like butter and warm garlic while I stirred the bubbling sauce, and that first forkful felt like a hug. Right away, this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli slips into weeknight rotation for its comfort and ease. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners. If you like skillet comfort, you might also enjoy the bright flavors in garlic-parmesan chicken and potatoes skillet which pairs well with this dish.

Why You’ll Love This

• Quick: Dinner on the table in about 30 minutes.
• Family-friendly: Kids usually ask for seconds.
• One-pan finish: Fewer dishes, more time to relax.
• Flexible: Use fresh or frozen tortellini with equal success.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 4
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes
• Skill level: Easy
• Taste: savory, creamy, garlicky

You’ll feel confident making this even if you’ve never made a cream sauce before.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley or basil (optional garnish)
• Extra Parmesan (optional garnish)

Chef notes:

• Fresh garlic = bigger flavor.
• Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
• Frozen tortellini cooks fast—watch the package.
• Grate Parmesan from a block for best melt.
• Room-temp cream cheese blends smoother.

How to Make It

1. First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions.
2. Meanwhile, in the last 2–3 minutes of the pasta’s cook time, drop in the broccoli florets so they turn bright green and stay slightly crisp. Drain both and set aside.
3. Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes; you’ll see golden edges and juices run clear. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Then, lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant but not brown.
5. Now pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Whisk in the softened cream cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, and simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Finally, add the cooked tortellini, broccoli, and chicken back to the skillet. Toss gently until everything is coated and glossy. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Serve warm with parsley and extra Parmesan.

For a one-pot twist, try a similar creamy base in this one-pot creamy garlic pasta I like when I want even fewer pans.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

1. Time-saver: Use rotisserie chicken — it shaves 10–15 minutes off prep.
2. Common mistake + fix: If the sauce looks grainy, lower the heat and whisk in a splash more broth; high heat can break dairy.
3. Simple variation: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes or swap basil for parsley for a brighter finish.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner: Plate with a simple green salad and crusty bread to soak up sauce.
• Casual gathering: Serve family-style from the skillet with extra Parmesan on the table.
• Meal prep: Pack into microwave-safe bowls for quick reheats at work.
• Brunch twist: Offer alongside a simple frittata for a cozy weekend spread.
  Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and a few extra shards of Parmesan for a restaurant touch, and try pairing with roasted cherry tomatoes.

You might also enjoy the bold flavors of Alice Springs chicken as a richer main alongside lighter sides.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze only the cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months (tortellini gets softer after freezing).
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of chicken broth to revive the sauce.

Leftover idea: Turn leftovers into a creamy pasta bowl or stuff into a warm sandwich for lunch.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli

A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring creamy garlic sauce, chicken, and broccoli tossed with cheese tortellini, perfect for weeknight dinners.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 600

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the tortellini and broccoli

• 12 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen) Frozen tortellini cooks fast—watch the package.
• 2 cups broccoli florets Add in the last few minutes of tortellini cook time.

For the Chicken

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces Use rotisserie chicken to save time if desired.
• 1 tbsp olive oil For cooking the chicken.

For the sauce

• 3 tbsp butter Melted in the skillet.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic for bigger flavor.
• 1 cup heavy cream Room temperature blends smoother.
• 1/2 cup chicken broth To thin the sauce.
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Grate from a block for best melt.
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened Helps create a creamy sauce.
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) For a bit of heat.

For Garnish

• Fresh parsley or basil (optional) For garnishing.
• Extra Parmesan (optional) For serving.

Method

 

Cooking Tortellini and Broccoli

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions.
2. In the last 2–3 minutes of the pasta’s cook time, drop in the broccoli florets. Drain both and set aside.

Cooking Chicken

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Making the Sauce

1. Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant but not brown.
3. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Whisk in the softened cream cheese until the sauce is smooth.
4. Add Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Combining Ingredients

1. Add the cooked tortellini, broccoli, and chicken back to the skillet. Toss gently until everything is coated and glossy.
2. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Serve warm with parsley and extra Parmesan.

Notes

Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days in the fridge. For freezing, cook chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of chicken broth.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes. Cook through step 5, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat gently and add tortellini and broccoli just before serving. This keeps textures fresh.

Q: What else can I substitute for chicken?
A: Try shrimp or Italian sausage; both work well with the creamy sauce and change the flavor profile nicely.

Q: How do I know when the chicken is done?
A: The pieces should be golden with no pink center and read 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, or cut a piece to check.

Q: Can I freeze Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli?
A: You can freeze parts like the sauce and chicken, but cooked tortellini becomes soft; reheat carefully and add fresh tortellini if possible.

Final Thoughts

I love how this dish balances comfort and speed—garlic and Parmesan make every bite cozy, while broccoli keeps it bright. Try it tonight, and tweak the red pepper flakes for a small kick that wakes the cream. You’ll be surprised how often this becomes your go-to family favorite; I know it did for me with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken & Broccoli.

Conclusion

For a similar cozy pasta, check out this take on Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Tortellini – No Plate Like Home and this easy weeknight version, Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Tortellini – The Best Easy Dinner Recipes.