Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the chicken. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces or thin strips. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the chicken. Toss chicken with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Sear the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through.
- Remove chicken. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- Start the garlic sauce. Lower the heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add broth and cream. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir while scraping up any golden bits from the pan.
- Simmer gently. Let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.
- Add parmesan. Stir in parmesan cheese slowly until melted and smooth.
- Cook the tortellini. Add cheese tortellini to the skillet and simmer until tender, following package timing.
- Add spinach and chicken. Stir in spinach and return the cooked chicken to the pan. Cook until spinach wilts and chicken is hot.
- Finish and serve. Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve warm with extra parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Food Safety Tip: Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
Pro Tip: If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water to loosen it before serving.
Healthy Tips & Daily Wellness
This creamy garlic chicken tortellini is a cozy comfort meal, but you can balance it with simple healthy choices.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, add extra spinach, and serve smaller portions with a big green salad or roasted vegetables.
For more protein, use extra chicken or add white beans. For more vegetables, stir in mushrooms, broccoli, peas, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or kale.
For a balanced plate, serve the tortellini with a fresh salad, steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, garlic green beans, or a cucumber tomato salad.
