Pin It A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a creamy Cajun garlic Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal with a spicy kick.
I made this dish on a busy Tuesday night and it instantly became a family favorite. The creamy sauce and hint of spice excited everyone at the dinner table.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: 2 large boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Cheese tortellini: 500 g (18 oz) refrigerated
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Red bell pepper: 1 small, diced
- Yellow onion: 1 small, diced
- Heavy cream: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup (50 g), freshly grated
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons
- Cajun seasoning: 1 tablespoon
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, plus more to taste
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh, for garnish
- Optional: extra grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook tortellini:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare chicken:
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with half the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make sauce:
- Sprinkle in remaining Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Stir, then pour in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
- Add cheese:
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Combine chicken and pasta:
- Return chicken to the skillet, along with cooked tortellini. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce.
- Finish and serve:
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through. Serve garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Pin It We love to gather around the table and share this spicy, creamy pasta. Everyone asks for seconds, especially when the sauce is soaking into some fresh bread.
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet, chefs knife, cutting board, wooden spoon or spatula, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (tortellini), milk (cream, Parmesan, butter), eggs (tortellini may contain eggs). Double-check tortellini packaging for specific allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 620, Total Fat: 29 g, Carbohydrates: 53 g, Protein: 38 g (per serving)
Pin It Enjoy this spicy and creamy tortellini for dinner tonight. Leftovers taste even better the next day!
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
Cook chicken pieces over medium-high heat just until browned and cooked through. Avoid overcooking by removing them promptly from the skillet.
- → Can I use a different pasta instead of tortellini?
Yes, filled pasta like ravioli or a durable short pasta such as penne works well to hold the creamy sauce.
- → What adds the spicy kick to the sauce?
Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika provide bold spice and smoky flavor, which can be adjusted based on personal heat preference.
- → Is it possible to make this dish creamier?
Increasing heavy cream slightly or adding extra Parmesan cheese will enrich the sauce for a creamier texture.
- → How can I add more freshness to this dish?
Garnishing with chopped fresh parsley brightens flavors and offers a fresh herbaceous note.
- → Are there suitable proteins to swap for chicken?
Shrimp makes a great alternative, providing a seafood variation while complementing the creamy and spicy sauce.