Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe

If there’s ever a comfort food that could incite instant devotion at the dinner table, it’s this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini. Imagine tender bites of chicken mingling with plump cheese tortellini in a creamy, sun-dried tomato-swirled sauce, accented by bacon and a flurry of fresh basil. It’s soul-soothing yet special enough for a celebration, a dish that feels both like a cozy Sunday night in and a reason to assemble friends and family. If you love dinner recipes that deliver big flavor with minimal fuss, Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is the answer you never knew you needed.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is that each ingredient has a starring role, whether it’s adding creaminess, a burst of umami, or a hint of herbal brightness. From the smokiness of bacon to the silkiness of heavy cream, every item works together to make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini an unforgettable dish.

• Thick-cut bacon: Smoked bacon brings irresistible crispiness and a rich base flavor to the sauce.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Pound them for even cooking and the juiciest, most tender bites.
• Black pepper: Freshly cracked is best for a little sharp background punch.
• Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning at each step, enhancing all the savory notes.
• Sundried tomatoes in oil with herbs: These give a tangy, chewy depth and beautiful color throughout the sauce.
• Shallot: Adds gentle sweetness and subtle bite, melting perfectly into the sauce’s base.
• Garlic: Four cloves for glorious garlicky aroma—don’t skimp!
• Dried Italian seasoning: This blend infuses the dish with Mediterranean warmth.
• Crushed red pepper: Just enough to offer gentle heat and balance the creaminess.
• Tomato paste: Concentrated, for deep tomato richness that thickens the sauce.
• Lower-sodium chicken broth: Adds savoriness without making things overly salty.
• Heavy whipping cream: The foundation for that swoon-worthy, ultra-luxurious sauce.
• Refrigerated cheese tortellini: Soft pillows of pasta filled with creamy cheese, perfect for carrying sauce in every bite.
• Pre-grated Parmesan cheese: Savory, nutty, and melty, it makes the sauce sing (plus some extra for topping, of course).
• Fresh basil leaves: Torn over the top for a pop of color, freshness, and an herbal finish.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

Step 1: Gather Ingredients and Prep Water

Begin your Marry Me Chicken Tortellini adventure by getting all of your ingredients organized and ready to go. Fill a large saucepan with salted water and set it over high heat, bringing it to a beautiful rolling boil. Having everything prepped means you’ll breeze through cooking once you start.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon

In a large skillet set over medium heat, add your chopped bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is deeply golden, crispy, and has released all its flavorful drippings—about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving about 3 tablespoons of those precious drippings in the skillet to infuse the whole dish with flavor.

Step 3: Sear and Cook the Chicken

While your bacon is working its magic, season your chicken breasts liberally with pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. Slide the chicken into the hot skillet, searing on both sides until golden brown and cooked through—usually 5 to 6 minutes per side. You’re aiming for juicy meat (a thermometer should read 165 degrees F in the thickest part), so adjust the heat if things start getting too dark. Move the chicken to a plate and let it cool enough to chop into hearty, bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Base

Turn the heat down to medium and stir in the sundried tomatoes and shallot. Cook, stirring often, until the shallots are just softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Next, add the garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for another 30 seconds until the kitchen smells absolutely divine, then add the tomato paste and stir until it deepens in color and thickens—about a minute.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the chicken broth, scraping any delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan to deglaze (that’s where tons of flavor is hiding). Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer, letting it cook and thicken gently for about 3 to 5 minutes. This is your luscious, swirling Marry Me Chicken Tortellini sauce.

Step 6: Cook the Tortellini

Now is the moment for your cheese tortellini to shine! Add them to your boiling water and cook just until they rise to the surface and are deliciously tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Before draining, scoop out and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water—this liquid gold helps loosen and unify the sauce if needed.

Step 7: Finish and Combine Everything

Add the Parmesan cheese, reserved crispy bacon, chopped chicken, and drained tortellini right into the skillet with your creamy sauce. Stir and toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time until you have the perfect, glossy consistency. Divide the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini among warm bowls, and shower each serving with extra Parmesan and fresh torn basil.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

Garnishes

For the finishing touch, sprinkle plenty of freshly grated Parmesan over each bowl, then add a generous scattering of torn basil leaves. The cheese melts into the creamy sauce and the basil pops with herbal brightness, balancing all the rich flavors that make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini so craveable.

Side Dishes

A simple green salad with a zippy vinaigrette rounds out the meal and cuts through the creaminess perfectly. Want to go classic? Pair it with garlicky breadsticks or a warm baguette to mop up every last drop of that luscious sauce. Roasted broccolini or asparagus also work especially well for a colorful, wholesome side.

Creative Ways to Present

For date night, serve Marry Me Chicken Tortellini in shallow bowls with candles flickering nearby and a chilled glass of white wine. Feeding a lively crowd? Offer it family-style out of a big serving platter so everyone can help themselves. For a cozy solo dinner, simply pile it high in your favorite deep bowl and don’t forget an extra dusting of cheese!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Preserve the magic by letting your Marry Me Chicken Tortellini cool, then spoon leftovers into an airtight container. It’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and deepen overnight, making leftovers seriously delightful for lunch or another easy dinner.

Freezing

While fresh tortellini and creamy sauces don’t freeze quite as perfectly as some dishes, you can stash extra portions in freezer-safe containers for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture and gently rewarm before serving.

Reheating

The quickest way to bring Marry Me Chicken Tortellini back to its creamy glory is gently reheating it on the stovetop over low heat. Add a small splash of cream, milk, or reserved pasta water if the sauce seems a bit thick. Stir often, and sprinkle a fresh shower of basil and Parmesan just before serving.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts?

Absolutely! If you’re pressed for time, shredded rotisserie chicken blends right in. Stir it in with the bacon and tortellini to soak up all the creamy, flavorful sauce.

What other pasta can I use if I don’t have tortellini?

You can swap in ravioli or even short dry pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni. Just be sure to cook them until al dente and adjust the sauce consistency if needed.

Is Marry Me Chicken Tortellini spicy?

It’s gently spiced thanks to the crushed red pepper, but it’s always easy to scale back for a milder version or bump it up for a little more heat.

How can I make this dish vegetarian?

Skip the bacon and chicken, use cheese or spinach tortellini, and sub vegetable broth in the sauce. You’ll still get a rich, satisfying pasta masterpiece.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! Marry Me Chicken Tortellini scales beautifully. Just use a larger skillet or Dutch oven and allow a little more time for everything to heat through evenly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an easy but showstopping dish to bring people together, Marry Me Chicken Tortellini delivers every time. With its irresistible sauce, bursts of color, and pure comfort in each bite, it deserves a place in your regular dinner rotation. Give it a try—with friends, with family, or just for yourself—and let the flavor do all the convincing.

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