This amazing Chicken Tortellini Alfredo combines succulent rotisserie chicken with refrigerator or frozen cheese tortellini in a rich, creamy five-ingredient homemade alfredo sauce. This quick and easy recipe is ideal for busy families and weeknight meals.
This is one of our family’s favorite dishes because it is so easy to prepare and tastes delicious. It is just as tasty as Olive Garden’s Chicken Alfredo Tortellini and much less expensive. I like to serve this meal with a simple garden salad drizzled with a light Italian vinaigrette and French baguettes with sweet cream butter or cheese garlic bread.
If you like this recipe, try some of my other easy pasta recipes like Cajun Chicken Pasta, Buffalo Chicken Pasta, Tuscan Chicken Pasta, and Parmesan Pasta.
How to Make Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and add the cheese tortellini. Boil the tortellini according to package directions. Drain the tortellini well.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the cream and Italian seasoning. Simmer until slightly thickened, but do not boil. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan Cheese until melted.
- Add the cooked cheese tortellini and shredded chicken.
Ingredients for Chicken Tortellini Pasta
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Tortellini: Refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
- Butter: Either will work, but if you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of kosher salt when seasoning the recipe.
- Minced garlic: for the best flavor, use fresh minced garlic.
- Heavy cream: also known as whipping cream
- Parmesan cheese: This recipe calls for freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The flavor is worth every penny, and unlike the stuff in the canister, it melts perfectly.
- Cooked chicken: Either diced or shredded. I like to use rotisserie chicken picked up from Costco, but any cooked chicken will work.
Preparation Tips
- Use refrigerated, frozen, or dried cheese tortellini. The only thing that changes is the cooking time. Cook refrigerated tortellini for 2-3 minutes, frozen tortellini for 3-5 minutes, or dried tortellini for 10-11 minutes.
- Don’t boil the tortellini; instead, simmer them.
- Reduce the cream mixture by about 1/3. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, so start working on the sauce while the water is coming to a boil.
- For the best taste results, grate your own block of Parmesan cheese instead of purchasing pre-grated Parmesan Cheese.
- Use the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and use it when reheating leftovers.
What To Serve With Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
I like to serve something light, like a simple garden salad with a light dressing, sauteed asparagus, roasted broccoli, or garlic butter mushrooms. Or serve Dutch oven bread or cheddar bay biscuits.
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Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Ingredients
- 19 ounces refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1½ cups heavy cream also known as whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving
- 2½ cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the cheese tortellini. Cook refrigerated tortellini for 2-3 minutes, frozen tortellini for 3-5 minutes, or dried tortellini for 10-11 minutes. Reserve a 1/2 cup of the pasta water for thinning the sauce if needed. Drain the tortellini well.
- While the water is coming to a boil. Melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute while stirring.
- Whisk in the cream and Italian seasoning. Simmer until slightly thickened but do not boil. Reduce the heat as low as it will go and stir in the Parmesan Cheese until melted.
- Add the cooked cheese tortellini and shredded chicken, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle with a little chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- Theoretically, you can freeze this dish, but it will result in changes in texture and consistency, so it is best to enjoy it within 3 days.
Nutrition
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Lisa
This looks good and tasty, I just made something like this over the weekend, but it was with shrimp. I love adding the tortellini. Such a hearty meal!
Karletta
Quick easy and delicious. Served it my husband with Italian salad, glass of wine and garlic bread. Perfection!
Ebony
I made this for dinner last night and it was a hit! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe for our family to enjoy!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Ebony!
Damian
This chicken tortellini alfredo is one of my favorite dishes! It’s so yummy and tasty! We loved every bite.