Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting dish that’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough to serve guests. Tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce come together for a meal you’ll want to make again and again.

Ingredients
- 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
- 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
- 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)
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken pieces with ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ½ teaspoon paprika. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and melt 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet. Sauté the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup chicken broth, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Whisk continuously until the sauce begins to bubble. Slowly whisk in 1 cup parmesan cheese until completely melted.
- Step 5: Add the cooked chicken, chopped spinach, and frozen tortellini to the skillet. Stir occasionally until the spinach wilts and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the tortellini to cook through.
- Step 6: Garnish with fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh spinach instead of baby spinach for a slightly different texture if preferred.
- Swap sun-dried tomatoes in oil with the dry-packed variety—just rehydrate them in warm water before slicing.
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce as needed.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta instead of tortellini?
Yes, cheese tortellini is traditional for this dish, but you can substitute with ravioli, gnocchi, or even penne pasta. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream and cheese alternatives and substitute butter with olive oil or a vegan butter substitute. The flavor and texture will vary slightly but still be delicious.
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Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy, comforting skillet meal featuring tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, and a flavorful garlic-parmesan cream sauce. This one-pan dish combines Italian-inspired spices with fresh spinach for a rich and satisfying dinner that’s easy to make and perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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)
Vegetables
- 2 cups baby spinach (chopped)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ½ teaspoon paprika until evenly coated. Set aside to marinate briefly.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low, then melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 3 teaspoons minced garlic and ½ cup drained, thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the cream sauce: Pour in 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth and 2 cups heavy cream. Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Whisk continuously until the sauce starts to bubble. Gradually whisk in 1 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add chicken, spinach, and tortellini: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with 2 cups chopped baby spinach and the frozen 19 oz bag of cheese tortellini. Stir everything gently to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts and the tortellini are heated through.
- Serve and garnish: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Tortellini!
Notes
- You can substitute fresh tortellini if preferred, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for best flavor; drain and slice thin to avoid excess oil in the sauce.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Fresh parsley for garnish adds a nice color contrast and freshness but is optional.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly by checking it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy tortellini, chicken pasta skillet, Italian chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato sauce, garlic parmesan chicken

