As an Amazon Influencer, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
You’re going to love this super easy recipe for chicken tortellini alfredo!
We’re whipping up a simple, rich alfredo sauce, tossing it with premade cheese tortellini and topping it with lean grilled chicken breasts.
This copycat recipe is even better – dare I say – than the Panera chicken tortellini alfredo recipe! And it’ll be on your dinner table in less than an hour, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
Alfredo sauce is one of the easier pasta sauces to make. It’s basically just three simple ingredients: butter, cream and Parmesan cheese.
Alfredo sauce is one of the first sauces my kids learned to make for themselves. And while it’s not exactly low calorie, a bowl of creamy alfredo pasta is a comfort food classic that we all need from time to time.
Using premade cheese tortellini makes this recipe super easy and accessible for everyone.
Dress this dish up for a special occasion or whip it up for a quick weeknight meal. Anything goes!
Ingredients for Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Here’s what you’ll need to create this chicken tortellini alfredo pasta:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Cheese tortellini. Frozen or fresh tortellini is fine, whatever you can find at the grocery store.
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt
How to Make Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Cook the Chicken
If weather permits, fire up the grill and cook the chicken until there are grill marks on both sides and the center is cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
Season the chicken simply with salt and pepper. If you want to get fancy, you could sprinkle a little Italian seasoning on it.
Alternatively, cook the chicken in the oven. Simply place the chicken in a baking dish, drizzle it with olive oil, season it with salt and pepper and bake it for 25 minutes.
Once the chicken is done, slice it into strips and set it aside.
Prepare the Pasta
Boil your cheese-filled tortellini in a large pot of salted water.
Tortellini takes only a few minutes to cook. As soon as the pasta floats to the surface, it’s done.
Make the Creamy Sauce
Creamy alfredo sauce is simple to make if you follow these steps:
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Then, saute the garlic in the melted butter until it’s sizzling.
Now, stir in the cream, Parmesan cheese and salt. Raise the heat until the mixture starts to boil, stirring. Then, lower the heat back down to a simmer.
It should take only 1-2 more minutes to thicken, and then you can gently stir the tortellini into the sauce.
Plate the Dish
Transfer your tortellini alfredo to serving dishes and top it with the sliced chicken.
How to Serve Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Serve this chicken tortellini alfredo with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad for a well-rounded meal.
And if you partake, a crisp white wine will higher acidity will balance the richness of this creamy dish beautifully.
Variations on this Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Here are some great options to try with this delicious recipe:
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the chicken and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers or artichoke hearts for a delicious vegetarian version.
- Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the alfredo sauce for a spicy kick.
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil: Incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil for a burst of flavor and vibrant colors.
- Pesto Infusion: Mix in a couple of tablespoons of pesto sauce for an amazing pesto alfredo fusion.
How to Store Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
If you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. The next time you want to enjoy your chicken alfredo pasta, reheat it in the microwave.
You could also reheat it on the stove over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or milk to help reconstitute the sauce.
When you make this chicken tortellini alfredo recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more simple pasta recipes, try these:
- Chicken Marsala (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
- Spicy Cajun Alfredo Recipe (An Easy Pasta Sauce)
- One Pan Lemon Caper Pasta (With White Wine)
For more copycat recipes, try these:
- Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders (Just like KFC!)
- Steakhouse Mac and Cheese Recipe (Outback Copycat)
- Egg White Turkey Bacon Sandwich (Starbucks Copycat)
Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Recipe (Panera Bread)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 20 oz. cheese tortellini fresh or frozen
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp. salt
Instructions
Grill Instructions
- Preheat grill to 350 degrees. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill chicken until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a cutting board and slice into strips.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake 25 minutes, until cooked through. Remove chicken to a cutting board and slice into strips.
Pasta Instructions
- Cook tortellini according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Saute the garlic until sizzling.
- Pour in the cream, Parmesan cheese and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer.
- Gently stir the cooked tortellini into the sauce.
- Plate the pasta on serving dishes. Top with chicken strips. Garnish with fresh parsley and black pepper, if desired.
Raymond Klouda says
Easy and awesome. Thank you.
Jackie says
Hi Ray, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for your feedback 🙂