Description
Delicious homemade chicken & broccoli tortellini delight combines classic Italian pasta with comforting ingredients. Hearty protein, tender vegetables, and rich sauce make this meal perfect for family dinners you’ll savor with each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken fillets (boneless, skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz (340 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (steamed or cooked)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Tortellini Preparation: Bring a large salted water pot to a vigorous boil. Submerge cheese tortellini, cooking until they float and become tender, approximately 3-10 minutes based on fresh or frozen state.
- Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Add chicken pieces seasoned with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until golden-brown and fully done, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Sauce Foundation: Remove chicken from skillet. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour heavy cream and chicken broth, creating a luxurious sauce base. Simmer while whisking, allowing mixture to thicken. Blend in Parmesan cheese until sauce reaches a silky, uniform consistency.
- Ingredient Integration: Return cooked chicken to skillet. Incorporate steamed broccoli florets and prepared tortellini. Gently fold ingredients, ensuring complete sauce coverage. Adjust sauce consistency with additional broth or pasta water if necessary.
- Serving Finale: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Plate immediately while tortellini and sauce remain piping hot, preserving optimal flavor and texture complexity.
Notes
- Master Pasta Timing: Fresh tortellini cooks faster than frozen; watch carefully to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente texture.
- Chicken Searing Secret: Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor and moisture.
- Sauce Consistency Hack: Whisk Parmesan gradually to prevent clumping and create a smooth, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to pasta and chicken.
- Quick Flavor Boost: Reserve some pasta water before draining – its starchy magic helps thin or thicken sauce while adding unexpected depth to the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg