Description
A creamy, spicy pasta dish that blends Cajun-seasoned chicken with cheese-filled tortellini in a rich garlic cream sauce. Perfect for weeknights or dinner parties, this recipe is quick, comforting, and full of bold flavor.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
9 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
Toss chicken cubes with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Remove and set aside.
Boil tortellini in salted water until al dente (2–4 minutes fresh, 6 minutes frozen). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in cream, Parmesan, and smoked paprika. Simmer until smooth. Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water.
Return chicken and tortellini to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in the garlic sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
Serve hot, garnished with parsley, red pepper flakes, or lemon zest.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juicier results or breasts for a leaner option.
Add-ins like spinach, mushrooms, or roasted peppers boost flavor and nutrition.
Sauce should simmer gently; avoid boiling hard to prevent separation.
Best served fresh, but leftovers reheat well with a splash of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. ¼ of recipe)
- Calories: ~610 kcal
- Sugar: ~3 g
- Sodium: ~720 mg
- Fat: ~36 g
- Saturated Fat: ~17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~16 g
- Trans Fat: ~0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~40 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Protein: ~33 g
- Cholesterol: ~160 mg