This deliciously creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Tortellini recipe is made with tender chicken, perfectly cooked tortellini, and a rich, cheesy sauce. This one-pan dish is a super simple recipe that delivers big flavors in under 30 minutes,
Tired of serving the same pasta dishes while trying to balance taste with good nutrition? As a fitness and nutrition expert with over 20 years of home cooking experience, I understand the challenge of creating nutrient-dense meals that don't compromise flavor. That's where this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini recipe comes in.
This one-pan wonder combines lean protein with perfectly cooked tortellini in a flavorful sun-dried tomato cream sauce that feels indulgent but is packed with simple real food ingredients. It's perfect for a weeknight meal, a romantic dinner or any special occasion.
If you love quick and delicious weeknight meals, check out my Creamy Tortellini Soup, Sourdough Chicken And Dumplings, and Creamy Lasagna Soup.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Elegance: Despite its sophisticated name, this dish doesn't demand hours in the kitchen. It's an easy recipe for those busy weeknights when you want a meal that's both impressive and easy to prepare.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether you're cooking for a romantic date night or hosting a lively dinner party, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Simple And Customizable: This delicious chicken tortellini recipe is not just a one-trick pony. Its versatility shines through, allowing for creative variations. Feel free to experiment with different types of tortellini, add seasonal vegetables, or tweak the creamy tomato sauce to your liking.
Ingredients
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: If you don't have EVOO, you can use avocado oil, butter or ghee.
- Chicken Breasts: Organic, free-range boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- Gluten-Free Flour: If you don't have issues with gluten, then any flour will work. To keep it gluten-free, something like Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour works really well.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Any salt will work, however, something like Real Salt is a great option as it includes trace minerals.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic, you can adjust the amount based on your preference. I recommend avoiding the pre-minced garlic that you can buy in a jar.
- Tomato Paste: I love keeping a tube of tomato paste on hand as it keeps so well in the fridge. It also adds a ton of concentrated tomato flavor to this dish.
- Chicken Broth: You can make your own Homemade Bone Broth or use a good quality store-bought brand like Kettle and Fire. Their broth is certified organic and made from grass-fed and Grass-finished bones. You can also use beef stock if you have that on hand.
- Milk: Choose your favorite milk, but for the creamiest result, opt for full-fat milk-preferably grass-fed. Heavy cream or half-and-half can also work well, or you can substitute with full-fat coconut milk if you'd like to avoid dairy. Just avoid low-fat or fat-free milk, as they won't deliver the rich, creamy texture that makes this dish so satisfying.
- Parmesan Cheese: Be sure to use fresh parmesan cheese and not the pre-grated stuff.
- Paprika & Oregano: Regular paprika works well, but try smoked paprika for a boost of extra flavor. Use either dried or fresh oregano, depending on what you have available.
- Sundried Tomatoes: Be sure you read the ingredients on the label, and look for sundried tomatoes packed in extra virgin olive oil. You will want to steer clear of any sundried tomatoes that are packaged in canola oil or any other seed oil.
- Fresh Spinach: Use as much or as little as you like.
- Fresh Gluten-Free Tortellini: Refrigerated fresh cheese tortellini. My favorite gluten-free option is made by the brand Taste Republics.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions And Variations
- Dairy-Free: To make this marry me chicken and tortellini recipe dairy-free, swap out the whole milk for coconut milk, or use plant-based cream. You can swap the parmesan cheese for a dairy-free parmesan. Also, you can use a dairy-free tortellini like Kite Hill.
- Spicy: If you're a fan of heat, consider adding red pepper flakes to the sauce or incorporating a pinch of cayenne pepper. Adjust the spice level according to your taste preferences.
- No Tortellini, No Problem: You can make a marry me chicken pasta, by substituting the tortellini for your favorite gluten-free pasta shape! Something like penne pasta, or farfalle will work well.
- Mix Up The Flavors: Feel free to use whatever spices you like, you can dredge the chicken in some garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Protein Swap: For a richer variation, you can chicken thighs instead of breasts. If you are not a fan of chicken swap it for shrimp or Italian sausage.
- Veggie Packed: Toss in some broccoli, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra veggies.
How To Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Quick Tip!
Prep all of your ingredients beforehand, as once you start cooking, things move fast!
Step 1. Place the gluten-free flour, sea salt, and pepper on a plate and combine. Pat your chicken breasts with a paper towel, then place the chicken breast in the flour mixture, and coat both sides, then set aside.
Step 2. Place your cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add in the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until evenly golden brown and cooked through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and set aside.
Step 3. Reduce the heat to low add the tomato paste and garlic to your large skillet and cook for about 1 minute. Add in your chicken stock to deglaze the pan by scraping any bits that have stuck to the bottom of the skillet.
Add in your milk, parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of paprika, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4. In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook your tortellini in salted boiling water. You will want to cook your pasta about a minute shy of the package directions, as they will continue to cook in the sauce.
Step 5. Slice your chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it back into the creamy sauce.
Step 6. Once the tortellini is cooked, drain and add it to your tomato cream sauce, along with the spinach, and toss to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes. Once the dish is done, serve it with some fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips And Notes
- Prep Everything In Advance: This recipe moves fast! So have all of your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking.
- Don't Overcook Your Pasta: Cook the tortellini about 1 minute shy of the package directions. The pasta will continue to cook in the sauce and you don't want to end up with mush or soggy tortellini!
- Taste The Sauce: Don't be afraid to taste the sauce as you go. If you like a stronger flavor, add more herbs and spices.
- Use Good Quality Ingredients: High-quality ingredients are the foundation of any great dish. Opt for fresh tortellini, high-quality, free-range chicken, and full-fat grass-fed milk for the sauce. Investing in quality ingredients will elevate the overall taste and nutrition.
What To Serve With Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
- Bread: Serve with cheese garlic bread, sourdough bread, or your favorite gluten-free bread. Bread is the perfect vehicle to mop up all that creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
- Veggies: Pair with smoked asparagus, roasted broccoli, or green beans.
- Salad: This dish works well alongside a Caesar salad or spring salad.
Storage And Reheating
- Storage: Once the chicken tortellini has cooled, you can transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Reheating: When you are ready to reheat it, add it to a skillet along with some milk, cream, or chicken stock and gently heat it through for 3-4 minutes.
Recipe FAQ
Absolutely! While the classic version features chicken, feel free to experiment with shrimp or sausage.
This recipe gets its name from the viral TikTok recipe with the idea being it is so delicious that it might inspire a marriage proposal! It's a twist on the classic Marry Me Chicken but made with the addition of cheese tortellini.
You sure can. Just make sure you adjust the cooking time if needed.
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Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 lb Chicken Breast
- ¼ cup Gluten-Free Flour
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- ½ cup Whole Milk
- ¼ cup Parmesean Cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- 8 Sundried Tomatoes
- 2 cups Spinach fresh
- 9 oz Gluten-Free Tortellini fresh
Instructions
- Place the gluten-free flour, sea salt, and pepper on a plate and combine. Pat your chicken breasts with a paper towel, then place the chicken breast in the flour mixture, and coat both sides, then set aside.
- Place your cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add in the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until evenly golden brown and cooked through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to low add the tomato paste and garlic to your large skillet and cook for about 1 minute. Add in your chicken stock to deglaze the pan by scraping any bits that have stuck to the bottom of the skillet.Add in your milk, parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of paprika, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
- In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook your tortellini in salted boiling water. You will want to cook your pasta about a minute shy of the package directions, as they will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Slice your chicken into bite-sized pieces and add them back into the creamy sauce.
- Once the tortellini is cooked, drain and add it to your tomato cream sauce, along with the spinach, and toss to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes. Once the dish is done, serve it with some fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Prep Everything In Advance: This recipe moves fast! So have all of your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking.
- Don't Overcook Your Pasta: Cook the tortellini about 1 minute shy of the package directions. The pasta will continue to cook in the sauce and you don't want to end up with mush or soggy tortellini!
- Taste The Sauce: Don't be afraid to taste the sauce as you go. If you like a stronger flavor, add more herbs and spices.
- Use Good Quality Ingredients: High-quality ingredients are the foundation of any great dish. Opt for fresh tortellini, high-quality, free-range chicken, and full-fat grass-fed milk for the sauce. Investing in quality ingredients will elevate the overall taste and nutrition.
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