Chicken Tortellini Alfredo – 3-cheese tortellini and bites of tender chicken blanketed in creamy alfredo sauce. Easy 20 minute Panera Bread copycat recipe.

white bowl with chicken tortellini alfredo garnished with fresh parsley

I, for one can never have too many quick, easy — and delicious recipes in my arsenal – especially this time of year. 

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo cheese filled tortellini and bites of tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce.

It’s the perfect cozy, comfort irresistible meal – ready in just 20 minutes – and just what we need on busy weeknights.

white bowl with chicken tortellini alfredo with sauteed mushrooms

Grab the ingredients from the grocery store today. This 20 minute easy meal doesn’t disappoint.

I like to say it’s a copycat recipe that’s actually better than the original from Panera or the Olive ​Garden version.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

  • Use fresh tortellni from the refrigerated section in the grocery store. It cooks quickly in the alfredo sauce – no boiling separately!
  • Cooking the tortellini right in the alfredo adds even more flavor.
  • The best part – besides the taste – is that it’s ready in just 20 minutes!
  • The creamy sauce and cheesy tortellini scream comfort on every level.
  • It’s family friendly – kids love this cheesy dish as much as adults!
  • Tbis Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Panera Bread Copycat recipe is easy to customize or add extra vegetables.

WHAT’S IN THIS CHICKEN TORTELLINI ALFREDO RECIPE?

  • 1 pound 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

recommended tortellini for chicken tortellini alfredo

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN TORTELLINI ALFREDO:

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. 

step by step instructions for chicken tortellini alfredo

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 the 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 extra parmesan cheese at the table.

white bowl with chicken tortellini alfredo and fork lifting one tortellini

VARIATIONS TO THIS RECIPE:

Below are a few subs and variations for the next time you make this recipe.

  • Go meatless and leave the chicken out.
  • Add shrimp for Seafood Alfredo.
  • Rotisserie chicken cut in bite size pieces (or leftover chicken OR skinless chicken breasts cooked)
  • Saute mushrooms or zucchini and add to the dish
  • Add diced red onions or sweet onions.
  • Wilt in some fresh spinach. It adds nutrition and color and little ones will never know it’s in there.
  • Top the finished dish with bread crumbs and pop under the broiler 1-2 minutes until golden.
  • Try adding an herb cream cheese spread instead of regular cream cheese.

NEED DINNER EVEN FASTER? TRY THESE sHORTCUTS:

two bowls of chicken tortellini alfredo, one plain, the other with mushrooms

You may have already read my post How to Make Jar Alfredo Sauce Better – if not, click here for details.

I share my best tips for making a jar of Alfredo sauce taste like, well . . . it’s not from a jar!

To dive into this copycat Penera Bread Chicken Tortellini Alfredo even faster, here’s what you’ll need:

Add the sauce directly to a large skillet over medium heat.

Melt in the softened cream cheese then add the tortellini.

Cover and simmer 4-5 minutes or until the tortellini is fork tender then serve with parmesan cheese.

WHAT TO DO WITH 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.

WHAT GOES WTH CHICKEN ALFREDO TORTELLINI?

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 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 DELICIOUS RECIPE FOR AN 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!

Let’s cook together!

If you make this Panera Chicken Tortellini Alfredo recipe or any other recipe on the blog, don’t forget to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!

white bowl with chicken tortellini alfredo garnished with fresh parsley

20 Minute Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

Easy one pan meal - 3-cheese tortellini and tender chicken blanketed in creamy alfredo sauce. Better than Pera copycat recipe.
5 from 3 votes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4
Calories

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.
Keyword chicken tortellini alfredo, chicken alfredo, panera copycat, 20 minute recipe, easy weeknight meal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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5 Comments

  1. 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!