Hey there! I'm so excited to share this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini recipe with you today! This dish has become a total family favorite in our house, and for good reason. The first time I made it, Emily actually asked if we could have it again the very next night! (That's when I knew I had a winner on my hands!)
This creamy, cheesy tortellini dish combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and wilted spinach in a rich parmesan sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. The best part? It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu dinner parties when you want to impress without stressing.
Looking for more quick pasta dinners? My Easy Marry Me Pasta with Chicken Recipe is another family favorite that has all those same amazing flavors but with a different pasta shape. It's just as delicious and might be worth trying if you're looking for variations!
Why You Will Like This Chicken Tortellini Recipe
- Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
- Uses frozen tortellini that cooks right in the sauce (no separate boiling!)
- Loaded with protein from chicken and cheese tortellini
- Makes 6 generous servings (perfect for a family dinner with leftovers)
- The creamy sauce is absolutely divine and soaks into every bite
- Everything cooks in one skillet for minimal cleanup
- Sun-dried tomatoes add amazing flavor depth without much effort
- It's called "Marry Me" chicken for a reason - it's that good!
If you love creamy pasta dishes, you might also enjoy my Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe - it's another quick weeknight option that never disappoints!
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Tortellini
- 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
Chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Marry Me Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained and sliced thin)
- 3 teaspoons garlic (minced)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (finely shredded)
- 2 cups baby spinach (chopped)
If you're looking for a different flavor profile but still want a creamy pasta, my Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage brings some heat and seafood to the table!
Instructions for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Preparing the Chicken
- Season the chicken pieces with black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Remove cooked chicken and set aside. (I like to put it on a plate covered with foil to keep it warm!)
Making the Amazing Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium-low and melt butter in the same skillet. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. (Your kitchen will smell incredible at this point!)
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika. Whisk continuously until the sauce starts to bubble.
- Slowly whisk in parmesan cheese until completely melted and sauce is smooth. (This is where the magic happens - that cheese makes everything better!)
This sauce is similar to the one I use in my Easy Alfredo Penne Pasta recipe, but with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor!
Bringing It All Together
- Add the chicken back to the skillet along with the spinach and frozen tortellini. No need to thaw the tortellini first!
- Stir occasionally until the spinach starts to wilt and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, or until tortellini is tender.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy!
If you love one-pan recipes, you'll definitely want to check out my One Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta for another easy cleanup dinner option!
Storage & Reheating Tips for Tortellini
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The sauce may thicken when refrigerated, so add a splash of chicken broth or milk when reheating.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
- I don't recommend freezing this dish as cream-based sauces and pasta can change texture when thawed.
Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
- Cut the chicken into even, bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook uniformly and soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Don't overcook the garlic! It can burn quickly and turn bitter - 30 seconds is usually perfect.
- For a hint of heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes when making the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
- Let the tortellini rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and gives the flavors time to settle in.
- Fresh basil makes an amazing garnish if you have some on hand!
- To help with meal prep, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them separately from the tortellini. When ready to serve, simply reheat and combine for a quick, easy meal.
For another delicious creamy chicken pasta variation, try my Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta - the bite-sized chicken is so tender!
Variations of Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
- Swap spinach for kale or arugula for a different green element
- Use chicken thighs instead of breast for even more flavor (and they're usually cheaper!)
- Try different tortellini flavors - mushroom or spinach tortellini would be delicious
- Add mushrooms to the sauce for an earthy twist
- Sprinkle crispy bacon on top for a smoky finish
- Add a splash of white wine to the sauce before adding the cream for added depth
- Stir in a spoonful of pesto at the end for an herby kick
If you're in the mood for something with a bit of spice, my Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta offers a nice kick with similar creamy comfort!
FAQ About Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini takes just 30 minutes total - 5 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking time. The tortellini cooks directly in the sauce during the final 5 minutes of simmering.
Yes! This recipe demonstrates exactly that technique. The frozen tortellini cooks directly in the creamy sauce during the final 5 minutes of simmering, absorbing more flavor than if boiled separately.
Tortellini pairs wonderfully with the rich "Marry Me" sauce in this recipe - a creamy blend of heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasonings that perfectly complements the cheese-filled pasta.
Chicken is an excellent protein pairing for tortellini as shown in this recipe. The bite-sized pieces of seasoned chicken breast absorb the creamy sauce and provide a hearty complement to the cheese-filled pasta.
This recipe uses a 19 oz bag of frozen cheese tortellini and serves 6 people, which works out to approximately 3-3.5 oz of tortellini per person when combined with the chicken and sauce for a satisfying main course.
Recipes You May Like
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach - If you love the flavors in this recipe, you'll go crazy for this pasta dish!
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken - Another creamy chicken recipe that's always a hit at our dinner table.
- One Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta - For those nights when you want something delicious but only have one pan to spare!
Conclusion
This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is truly one of those special recipes that manages to be both incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple to make. The rich, creamy sauce combined with tender chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and bright sun-dried tomatoes creates a meal that feels restaurant-worthy without the restaurant price tag.
I love seeing the looks on my family's faces when I serve this dish - there's usually a moment of silence followed by "wow" after the first bite. It's that good!
Plus, the fact that it comes together in just 30 minutes makes it a recipe I turn to again and again on busy weeknights.
If you try this recipe, please save it to Pinterest for later! And drop me a comment to let me know how it turned out - I'd love to hear how you and your family enjoyed it.
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the chicken pieces with black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. About 6-8 minutes. Remove cooked chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and melt butter. Saute garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika. Whisk continuously until the sauce starts to bubble. Slowly whisk in parmesan until completely melted.
- Place the chicken, spinach, and tortellini in the skillet. Stir occasionally until the spinach starts to wilt, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
