Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

The rich aroma of sun-dried tomatoes and creamy garlic sauce wafting through your kitchen is just the beginning of the magic that is Marry Me Chicken Tortellini. This irresistible fusion dish combines the internet-famous “marry me” chicken with pillowy cheese tortellini for a meal so delicious, it might just inspire a proposal! The tender chicken bathed in a velvety sauce studded with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil creates a symphony of flavors that’s impossible to resist. You’ll learn how to create this showstopping pasta dish that balances creamy indulgence with bright Mediterranean flavors in just one pot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini transforms an already beloved recipe into something even more spectacular. The original “marry me” chicken earned its name because it’s supposedly so good it prompts marriage proposals – now imagine that same flavor-packed dish enhanced with cheese-filled pasta pockets!

The contrast between the al dente tortellini and the succulent chicken creates a textural paradise, while the creamy sauce clings perfectly to every bite. Each forkful delivers a beautiful balance of tangy sun-dried tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs.

What makes this dish truly special is how impressive it looks and tastes despite being remarkably simple to prepare. It’s perfect for date nights but easy enough for weekday dinners. The entire meal comes together in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious creation. Whether you’re trying to impress someone special or just treating yourself, this chicken tortellini dish delivers restaurant-quality results with home-cooked comfort.

Ingredients

For this spectacular Marry Me Chicken Tortellini, you’ll need:

• 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (14g) butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• ½ cup (80g) sun-dried tomatoes, julienned (oil-packed, drained)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• ¾ cup (180ml) chicken broth
• 1½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 20 oz (570g) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

The star ingredients are the sun-dried tomatoes, which provide concentrated bursts of sweet-tangy flavor, and the heavy cream, which creates that silky, indulgent sauce that makes this chicken tortellini dish so memorable. Use refrigerated tortellini rather than dried for the best texture and quickest cooking time.

Pro Tips

Perfect your Marry Me Chicken Tortellini with these expert techniques:

Properly sear the chicken – The secret to juicy, flavorful chicken is a good initial sear. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, which causes steaming instead of browning. Allow the chicken pieces to develop a golden crust before stirring. This caramelization creates a depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Balance your sauce consistency – The cream sauce should coat the back of a spoon but remain pourable. If your sauce becomes too thick after adding the tortellini, gradually add small amounts of chicken broth until you reach the perfect consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce.

Finish with freshness – While the cooked elements provide richness, it’s the finishing touches that make this creamy chicken pasta shine. Add the Parmesan off-heat to prevent clumping, and stir in fresh basil just before serving to maintain its vibrant color and aromatic qualities. This contrast between the cooked components and fresh herbs creates a more complex flavor profile.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Season your chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Base
Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the julienned sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, stirring to combine. Cook for another minute to bloom the spices and release their aromatic oils.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any flavorful browned bits (that’s pure flavor!). Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Combine Components
Return the chicken to the pan, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Add the refrigerated tortellini directly to the pan, ensuring each piece gets coated with sauce. Cover the pan and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F (74°C).

Step 5: Finish the Dish
Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Just before serving your Marry Me Chicken Tortellini, sprinkle with fresh chopped basil and an extra dusting of Parmesan if desired.

Variations

Mediterranean Marry Me Tortellini – Enhance the dish’s Mediterranean profile by adding ½ cup of pitted Kalamata olives, a handful of baby spinach, and crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan. The olives add brininess while the spinach incorporates a nutritious element, and the feta brings a tangy contrast to the creamy sauce.

Spicy Cajun Version – Transform this creamy tortellini with chicken by replacing the Italian seasoning with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and adding 1 diced bell pepper with the sun-dried tomatoes. Finish with sliced green onions instead of basil for a Southern-inspired twist that packs a flavorful punch.

Vegetarian Adaptation – Skip the chicken and double the tortellini, adding 8 ounces of sautéed mushrooms (cremini or portobello work beautifully) to provide a meaty texture and umami flavor. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a completely meat-free version that’s equally satisfying.

Storage and Serving

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce, so when reheating, add a splash of cream or chicken broth to revive the creamy consistency. Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This dish is not ideal for freezing as the cream sauce may separate and the tortellini texture will suffer.

Serve this impressive chicken and tortellini dish in wide, shallow bowls to showcase its beautiful components. For a complete meal, pair with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette – the peppery greens and bright dressing provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich pasta. A crusty piece of garlic bread makes an excellent accompaniment for soaking up every last drop of the delicious sauce.

For a dinner party presentation, serve family-style in a large, shallow serving dish garnished with additional basil leaves and shaved Parmesan, allowing guests to appreciate the visual appeal before diving in.

FAQs

Can I use dried tortellini instead of refrigerated?
Yes, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. Cook the dried tortellini separately according to package instructions until al dente, then add it to the sauce and chicken for the final 2 minutes of cooking.

How can I make this dish lighter?
You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, though the sauce won’t be as rich. You can also use less Parmesan and increase the amount of chicken broth to maintain sauce volume.

Can I make this with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Skip the chicken cooking step and add shredded rotisserie chicken when you return the chicken to the pan. This makes the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini even quicker to prepare.

My sauce split/curdled – what happened?
This typically occurs when cream is added to a very hot pan or boiled too vigorously. To prevent this, reduce heat before adding cream and maintain a gentle simmer rather than a boil.

What other pasta can I use instead of tortellini?
Ravioli works beautifully as a direct substitute. For non-stuffed options, penne, farfalle, or orecchiette work well as they capture the sauce in their shapes. Cook the pasta to al dente separately and combine with the sauce at the end.

Conclusion

This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is comfort food at its finest — creamy, indulgent, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate with every bite. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary evening into a special occasion, whether you’re cooking for someone special or simply treating yourself to a well-deserved culinary hug. The combination of tender chicken, pillowy tortellini, and that irresistible sun-dried tomato cream sauce creates a meal that’s sure to earn its place in your regular recipe rotation. No proposals necessary — but we can’t guarantee they won’t happen!

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