Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini in Cheesy Three-Cheese Sauce
Ingredients:
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ lbs total), cut into thick strips
1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
5 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1½ cups heavy cream
4 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook until tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and set aside.
2. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, coating evenly.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp around the edges. Remove and set aside on a plate.
4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Add Velveeta cubes and whisk until melted and smooth.
7. Gradually add mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until the sauce becomes thick, creamy, and glossy.
8. Season with garlic powder and onion powder, then stir in the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Add the cooked tortellini and toss gently until each piece is fully coated in the rich, cheesy three-cheese sauce. Let it rest for a minute so the sauce thickens and clings beautifully to every fold.
10. Arrange the dish for serving: place the creamy tortellini on one side of the plate and the seared garlic butter chicken on the other. Drizzle a little sauce over the chicken and garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4 | Calories: ~745 per serving