Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Cheese tortellini pasta and tender chicken get smothered in a creamy, dreamy Alfredo sauce. This is a decadent and comforting dinner that is so fast and easy to make. Put this on your regular rotation for quick dinners.
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
- 10 ounce package cheese tortellini fresh or frozen
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1-1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 ounces
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper or use black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 8 ounces cooked chicken shredded or sliced
- salt to taste
Garnish
- extra Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of cooking water and drain the pasta. Set aside while you make the sauce.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the cream and let it simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes to reduce it and make it slightly thicker.
- Lower the heat and stir in the parmesan cheese, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until the cheese melts.
- Stir in the chicken and drained pasta. Stir until heated all the way through. The sauce will thicken as the pasta and cheese mingle a while. If the sauce is too thick, add the pasta water to thin it out. Season with salt if needed.
- Serve with extra grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Notes
- Nutmeg may seem like an unusual ingredient but it is the magical ingredient to Alfredo sauce. A whole nutmeg will keep it's flavor for longer than pre-ground nutmeg and you can tell the difference with pre-ground and freshly grated nutmeg. If you have a whole nutmeg, grate it over the sauce with a microplane grater.
- Eight ounces of shredded chicken is approximately 2 cups. If you slice or cube the chicken it will be a little over 2 cups in volume.
- Since some brands of parmesan cheese are saltier than others, make sure you taste the sauce before you season with salt.
- This is a rich and filling meal that can easily be stretched to 6 smaller portions if you serve it with garlic bread, steamed veggies, and a salad. Without any sides, it makes 4 servings.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 676kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 745mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
