Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Tortellini
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Tortellini combines tender cheese tortellini, cooked chicken, broccoli, cream cheese, and Parmesan in a creamy one-pot sauce. It is a practical family dinner with hearty pasta, protein, and vegetables in every serving.
Equipment
- Deep skillet or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini
- 3 cups fresh broccoli roughly chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked chicken diced
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, then stir in the minced garlic for about 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth and milk, stirring to combine and scrape any garlic from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the cheese tortellini and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often to prevent sticking.
- Add the chopped broccoli, cover the pan, and cook until the tortellini is tender and the broccoli is bright green.
- Reduce the heat to low, add cubed cream cheese, and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and diced cooked chicken, then cook briefly until the chicken is heated through.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed, then serve warm while the sauce is creamy.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce and keep the tortellini creamy.
Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months if needed, but expect the tortellini and dairy sauce to soften slightly after thawing.
Expert Tips: Cube the cream cheese before adding it and keep the heat low while it melts for the smoothest sauce.
Variations: Add spinach, peas, cheddar, red pepper flakes, or extra Parmesan to adjust the dish with simple grocery-store ingredients.
Meal Prep: Cook and dice the chicken ahead, then chop the broccoli in advance so dinner comes together faster.