Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor, tender chicken and cheesy tortellini tossed in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce that feels fancy but comes together fast.

There are some dinners that feel special the moment you put them on the table, even if they didn’t take much effort at all. This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is exactly that kind of meal. It’s rich and creamy, full of flavor, and one of those dishes that makes everyone stop and say, “Okay… this is really good.”

I love recipes like this because they hit that sweet spot between easy and impressive. On busy nights, I don’t always want to spend an hour cooking, but I still want dinner to feel like more than just something thrown together. This is one of those recipes that makes it look like you put in way more work than you actually did.

The first time I made this, it instantly earned a spot in our regular dinner rotation. Tender bites of seasoned chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and a creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes all come together in one pan. It’s cozy, comforting, and filling, but still feels just a little elevated compared to our usual weeknight meals.

This is also one of those dinners that works really well when you’re cooking for a family. It’s creamy without being overpowering, flavorful without being spicy, and hearty enough that everyone leaves the table full. And because it comes together so quickly, it’s perfect for those nights when everyone’s hungry and you need dinner on the table fast.

This one seems fancy, but it is quick and even my picky kiddos love it!

If you’ve ever made “Marry Me Chicken” before, this version takes it one step further by adding tortellini, turning it into a full meal in one skillet. It’s rich, indulgent, and the kind of dinner that feels like a treat without requiring a special occasion.

What Is Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a creamy skillet dinner made with seasoned chicken, cheese-filled tortellini, and a rich sauce made from garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. The name comes from the idea that the dish is so good, it might just inspire a proposal.

This version turns the classic chicken dish into a complete meal by adding tortellini, making it hearty, comforting, and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Comes together in about 30 minutes

• Rich, creamy, and full of flavor

• One-pan meal with minimal cleanup

• Family-friendly but still feels special

• Easy to customize with different proteins or pasta

• Great for leftovers

When to Serve This Recipe

• Busy weeknights when you want something comforting

• Date nights at home

• Family dinners

• When you want a “fancy” dinner without the work

• Anytime you’re craving something creamy and satisfying

Ingredients 

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
  Chicken breasts work well, but thighs are also a great option.

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons butter
  Adds flavor and helps brown the chicken.

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  Fresh garlic gives the sauce the best flavor.

• 1 cup chicken broth
  Helps build the base of the sauce.

• 1 cup heavy cream
  Makes the sauce rich and creamy.

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  Adds a little heat without overwhelming the dish.

• ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  Brings a slightly tangy, savory flavor to balance the cream.

• 19-ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini
  No need to thaw, they cook right in the sauce.

• 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
  Thickens the sauce and adds a salty, nutty flavor.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

1. In a bowl, toss the diced chicken with black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt until evenly coated.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

4. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in the red pepper flakes and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

5. Add the frozen tortellini to the skillet, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 7–9 minutes, or until the tortellini are tender.

6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine.

7. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce thickens and everything is well coated.

8. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Substitutions

• Chicken breast → boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• Frozen tortellini → refrigerated tortellini or ravioli

• Parmesan cheese → Romano or Asiago

• Heavy cream → half-and-half (sauce will be thinner)

• Sun-dried tomatoes → roasted red peppers for a milder flavor

Variations

• Sausage Version: Swap chicken for sliced smoked sausage or Italian sausage

• Spinach Add-In: Stir in fresh spinach at the end until wilted

• Extra Cheesy: Add mozzarella along with the Parmesan

• Spicy Kick: Increase red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne

• Pasta Swap: Use penne or rotini if you don’t have tortellini

Tips & Tricks

• Cut chicken into even pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly

• Don’t overcook the garlic, it can turn bitter

• Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer, not a boil

• Freshly grated Parmesan melts best into the sauce

• If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth to loosen it

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best fresh, but leftovers reheat well with a splash of cream or broth.

Can I use fresh tortellini instead of frozen?
Yes, just reduce the cook time slightly and keep an eye on doneness.

Is this spicy?
No, the red pepper flakes are optional and add only mild heat.

Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely. Spinach, mushrooms, or peas all work well here.

Serving Ideas

• Serve with garlic bread or breadsticks

• Pair with a simple side salad

• Add roasted broccoli or green beans on the side

• Sprinkle with extra Parmesan before serving

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

• Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or cream

• Not recommended for freezing due to the cream sauce

Continue to Content

One Pot Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a delicious and flavorful dinner you can whip up in minutes.  Tender bites of seasoned chicken and cheese filled tortellini are coated in a luscious sauce of garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth and sundried tomatoes.  Stir in some parmesan cheese and you have a dinner everyone will love!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite size pieces
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 1/2 cup of chopped sun dried tomatoes
• 19 oz bag of frozen cheese tortellini

Instructions

1. Toss your diced chicken with the salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. 
2. In a large skillet over medium high heat add the butter and chicken.
3. Sautee your chicken until browned and cooked through.  
4. Remove the chicken and set aside.
5. Reduce the heat in the pan to medium.
6. To the pan add your garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, red pepper flakes and sundried tomatoes. 
7. Bring up to a simmer and add your tortellini. 
8. Cover and reduce heat to low for 7-9 minutes or until the tortellini is cooked through. 
9. Add the chicken and parmesan cheese to the pan and stir to combine. 
10. Serve!

Notes

• You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. 
• You can use any flavor of tortellini you like.
• This is also great with smoked sausage.
• Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.