Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini with Seared Chicken and Fresh Broccoli

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We’ve all had those moments, peering into the fridge, hoping for dinner inspiration to strike. You’re searching for something truly comforting and packed with flavour, but without the fuss of a long, complicated cooking session. That familiar challenge of finding a single meal that pleases everyone, feels a little indulgent, and is on the table in less than an hour, is one we know well. Thankfully, we have the perfect solution. Our recipe for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini with Seared Chicken and Fresh Broccoli is the delicious answer you’ve been seeking. It’s a beautifully complete meal in one pan, overflowing with rich, savoury notes and delightful textures that will have the whole family coming back for more.

This dish elegantly brings together soft, cheese-filled tortellini, perfectly golden seared chicken, and crisp, fresh broccoli florets. Everything is then lovingly coated in an opulent, creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s the kind of meal that can transform a standard weeknight into something truly special. So, let’s head to the kitchen and get started.

Why This Recipe is a Winner

We are certain you will adore this dish. Here are just a few reasons why we think it will become a staple in your meal planning:

A Symphony of Flavours: The blend of savoury chicken, aromatic garlic, nutty Parmesan, and fresh herbs creates a complex and deeply satisfying taste that is simply second to none.
Ready in a Flash: From gathering your ingredients to serving, this impressive meal can be ready in around 45 minutes, making it the ideal easy weeknight dinner.
A Wholesome One-Pan Dinner: Offering protein from the chicken, carbohydrates from the pasta, and essential vitamins from the broccoli, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious.
A Hit with Everyone: While sophisticated enough for adults to savour, the creamy sauce and familiar pasta shapes make it a guaranteed favourite with younger eaters, too.
Wonderfully Versatile: We believe this recipe is perfect as it is, but it’s also incredibly easy to adapt. Feel free to incorporate your favourite vegetables or even change the protein to suit your tastes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Right, before we dive in, let’s get all our ingredients in order. We’ve organised them by component to make your preparation as smooth as possible. Opting for fresh, high-quality ingredients will really allow the flavours of this dish to sing.

For the Seared Chicken and Broccoli:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 500g), sliced into bite-sized pieces or thin fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 large head of fresh broccoli (about 400g), cut into small florets

For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4-5 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
250ml chicken or vegetable stock
400ml double cream (or heavy cream)
80g freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
A pinch of nutmeg (optional, it enhances the creamy flavour)

For the Tortellini and Garnish:

500g fresh or frozen cheese-filled tortellini
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions to Create Your Masterpiece

Are you ready to make some culinary magic? Just follow these straightforward steps to achieve a perfect Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini. We find it helps to read through the entire method once before you start cooking.

Prepare and Sear the Chicken: To begin, pat the chicken pieces dry using a paper towel. In a bowl, toss the chicken with the olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring it’s all evenly coated. Warm a large, deep skillet or a Dutch oven over a medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken in a single layer—you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan—and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set it aside for later.
Cook the Tortellini and Broccoli: As the chicken is searing, put a large pot of salted water on to boil. Add your tortellini and cook it according to the instructions on the packet. For the final 3-4 minutes of the cooking time, pop the broccoli florets into the same pot. This is a handy trick that saves on washing up! Once the tortellini is cooked (it will rise to the surface) and the broccoli is tender with a slight crunch, drain everything well and set aside.
Start the Parmesan Garlic Sauce: Using the same skillet you used for the chicken, melt the butter over a medium heat. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits left in the pan, as they are packed with flavour. Now, add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until it becomes fragrant. Watch it closely to ensure it doesn’t burn.
Create the Roux: Whisk in the all-purpose flour to form a paste, known as a roux. Continue to cook for another minute, stirring all the time. This is the key to thickening our sauce to a lovely consistency.
Build the Creamy Sauce: Gradually pour in the chicken stock, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. When the mixture is perfectly smooth, slowly whisk in the double cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
Add the Cheese: Turn the heat down to low and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan, along with the red pepper flakes and nutmeg if you’re using them. Keep stirring gently until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is velvety smooth. This is your gorgeous Parmesan garlic sauce. Have a taste and add more salt and pepper if you feel it needs it.
Combine Everything: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, along with the drained tortellini and broccoli. Carefully stir everything together so that the pasta, chicken, and broccoli are all generously coated in the creamy sauce. Allow it to simmer for another minute or two, which will give the flavours a chance to mingle beautifully.
Serve and Enjoy: Dish up your Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini with Seared Chicken and Fresh Broccoli straight away. We love to garnish it with some freshly chopped parsley and an extra grating of Parmesan cheese.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Dish Every Time

If you’re looking to take your dish from simply delicious to truly exceptional, we suggest keeping these expert tips in mind.

Keep the Tortellini Al Dente: Fresh tortellini doesn’t take long to cook at all. Keep a watchful eye on it to make sure it doesn’t become overcooked and mushy. It should be perfectly tender with a subtle firmness.
The Secret to a Golden Sear: A good sear is what makes the chicken so flavourful. Ensure your pan is properly hot before you add the chicken, and be careful not to overcrowd it. This caramelisation, called the Maillard reaction, builds a deep, savoury crust. For a great explanation of this, BBC Good Food has an excellent guide on browning meat.
Always Grate Your Own Parmesan: This is a tip we cannot recommend highly enough! Pre-grated cheese is often coated with agents that stop it from clumping, but these can also prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own from a block of Parmesan cheese will give you a far creamier and more flavourful sauce.
Adjusting Your Sauce: If you find your sauce is a little too thick, you can easily loosen it with a splash of milk or a bit of the starchy pasta water. Conversely, if it seems too thin, just let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.

Tasty Variations and Simple Substitutions

One of the finest qualities of this creamy pasta dish is its remarkable versatility. Here are some of our favourite ways to mix things up:

Pack in More Vegetables: Sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers would all make wonderful additions to this dish.
Vary the Protein: This recipe is equally delicious when made with seared prawns or even slices of Italian sausage.
Make it Vegetarian: For a hearty meat-free meal, simply leave out the chicken and add more vegetables like mushrooms, courgettes, and bell peppers. Remember to use vegetable stock.
Experiment with Tortellini: Don’t be afraid to try different fillings! Spinach and ricotta, mushroom, or a four-cheese tortellini would all be delightful alternatives.

If you are a fan of rich, comforting pasta dishes, we think you’ll also love our recipe for The Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe. It features many of the same irresistible flavour combinations!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Of course. We suggest adding the frozen florets directly into the boiling water with the pasta during the last 4-5 minutes of its cooking time. You don’t need to thaw them beforehand.

Which kind of tortellini works best?

Our preference is for fresh, refrigerated cheese tortellini, as we find it has the best texture and cooks very quickly. However, both frozen and dried tortellini work perfectly well; just remember to follow the packet instructions for the correct cooking time.

Is it possible to prepare this dish in advance?

While this meal is at its best when served immediately, you can certainly get a head start on the prep. Searing the chicken and chopping the vegetables can be done ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat, you just need to cook the pasta and broccoli and whip up the sauce. The sauce can thicken as it cools, so you may need a splash of milk or stock to loosen it when you reheat.

What is the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

You can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, we recommend warming the pasta gently in a saucepan over a low heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to its original consistency. Alternatively, you can use a microwave, heating in 30-second bursts and stirring in between.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Pasta Night

And there we have it—our complete guide to creating the most wonderful Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tortellini with Seared Chicken and Fresh Broccoli. This recipe is proof that you don’t need to be a professional chef to craft a meal of restaurant quality in your own kitchen. It’s a dish designed to bring flavour, comfort, and a little bit of elegance to your table with very little effort.

For those evenings that call for an even simpler tortellini meal, our The Ultimate Crockpot Chicken Tortellini Recipe Creamy Easy is a fantastic set-it-and-forget-it alternative.

We genuinely hope you love making and eating this meal as much as we do. We would be delighted to hear how you get on! Did you experiment with any of our suggested variations? Or do you have a special tip of your own to share? Please leave a comment below to let us know. Happy cooking!