Chicken Tortellini Alfredo – 3-cheese tortellini and bites of tender chicken blanketed in creamy alfredo sauce. Easy 20 minute Panera Bread copycat recipe.
This Chicken Tortellini Alfredo pasta with cheese filled tortellini and bites of tender chicken is the. answer to what’s for dinner on busy weeknights
Cozy, hearty and irresistible using simple ingredients and this easy recipe is ready in just 20 minutes.
Why I love this recipe:
- Fresh tortellini from the refrigerated section in the grocery store makes it fast!
- More flavor because the pasta cooks in the rich alfredo sauce – no separate boiling.
- So much comfort – the creamy sauce and cheesy tortellini.
- Family friendly – kids love this delicious recipe. It’s one the whole family can enjoy.
- Customize adding extra vegetables.
- Better than Panera or Olive Garden versions.
Ingredients in Chicken Tortellini Alfredo:
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- fresh tortellini – (3-cheese blend found in most grocery stores)
- heavy cream
- milk (2% to whole milk can be used)
- chicken stock (can sub chicken broth)
- butter
- garlic powder
- dry Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper
- cream cheese
- grated parmesan cheese (can also use a combination of parm and romano cheeses)
- fresh parsley chopped
NOTE: be sure to use fresh tortellini. Dry tortellini requires more cooking time
How to make Chicken Tortellini Alfredo:
Trim chicken breasts of excess fat then cut in bite size pieces.
Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add chicken. Season with salt and pepper and cook 2-3 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown then remove and set aside.
Add heavy cream, milk, chicken stock and butter. Simmer over low heat for 2 minutes.
Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook for another minute then whisk in cubed cream cheese and parmesan cheese stirring until melted.
Add the fresh uncooked tortellini and half the parsley, gently stirring to coat. Cover simmer 4-5 minutes or until tortellini is tender (stir occasionally so they don’t stick to the bottom).
Return chicken to the skillet, blending in the sauce and cook for 1 minute until warmed. Taste and adjust salt and pepper then serve right away with a sprinkle of the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese at the table.
Tips, subs and variations:
- Go meatless!
- Add shrimp for Seafood Alfredo.
- Use rotisserie chicken cut in bite size pieces or leftover chicken
- Sautee mushrooms or zucchini and add to the dish.
- Add diced red onions or sweet onions.
- Wilt in fresh spinach for added nutrition – it won’t change the flavor.
- Top finished dish with bread crumbs and pop under the broiler 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Add herb cream cheese spread instead of regular cream cheese.
- Use chicken broth or even bone broth if you prefer.
Shortcuts to this recipe:
You may have already read my post How to Make Jar Alfredo Sauce Better – if not, check out my tips for making a jar of Alfredo sauce taste like, well . . . it’s not from a jar!
How to safely store leftovers:
Leftover Tortellini Alfredo can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner.
Best sides with Chicken Tortellini Alfredo:
Extra parmesan cheese – have a small bowl of parmesan cheese on the table to sprinkle on top of individual servings and a glass of your favorite white wine!
Green Beans – perfectly cooked fresh green beans in just 6 minutes without blanching or draining!
Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks – soft garlic bread with a crispy bottom brushed with garlic-parmesan butter and finished with gooey melted mozzarella cheese.
Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli – fresh brocccoli florets air fried to tender with lightly crisp edges. No air fryer? steam or pan saute broccoli instead.
Easy Homemade Focaccia Bread – easy fresh baked made with premade pizza dough in under 30 minutes! Light and airy with rosemary, sea salt and parmesan cheese.
Need another easy pasta dish?
20 Minute Italian Sausage Tortellini – ONE pan, 20 minutes – cheese tortellini, ground Italian sausage, tomatoes and parmesan cheese in a creamy sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese – ONE POT, 30 minutes – creamy, spicy 3-cheese sauce with chicken. Garnish with bacon, blue cheese and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff – another ONE POT recipe with ground beef, fresh mushrooms and egg noodles in a rich creamy sour cream sauce.
All the details for this Tortellini Alfredo are below in the printable recipe card.
Enjoy!
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20 Minute Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in bite size pieces
- 9 ounce package fresh 3-cheese tortellini dry tortellini NOT recommended
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk 2% or whole milk recommended
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Trim chicken breasts of excess fat then cut in bite size pieces.
- To a large skillet heat warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat then add chicken. Season with salt and pepper and cook 2-3 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the heavy cream, milk, chicken stock and butter. Simmer over low heat for 2 minutes
- Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the cubed cream cheese stirring until melted then fold in the parmesan cheese.
- Add the fresh uncooked tortellini and half of the chopped parsley, gently stirring to coat. Cover simmer 4-5 minutes or until the tortellini are tender, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick to the bottom.
- Return chicken to the skillet, blending in the sauce and cook for 1 minute until warmed.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper then serve right away with a sprinkle of the remaining parsley and additional parmesan cheese at the table.
Your receipe doesn’t make sense….The first ingredient “rcream cheesegrated Parmesean cheese” is confusing to say the least. Also, you don’t say when to add the chicken back!! After cooking the tortellini, or after?
Sounds good but I’m afraid to try it without some clarification!
Looks like the recipe has been corrected. Thanks. looking forward to trying it.
Is the parsley a garnish or added while cooking the tortellini?
Half into the sauce — sprinkle the rest over the top before serving. Would love your feedback Bill if you try this recipe! — Bernie
Thank YOU Bill! I appreciate your extra set of eyes on this! — Bernie