Description
A comforting and creamy Cajun-inspired dish featuring tender chicken and cheesy tortellini, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thick bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil and 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and crispy around the edges, about 6-8 minutes.
- When the chicken is cooked, add the minced garlic to the skillet and toss everything together in the garlic butter until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing it to a simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Gradually add the cubed Velveeta cheese, stirring until it melts and the sauce becomes smooth. Next, fold in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella until everything is thick and creamy. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
- Finally, gently fold in the cooked tortellini and return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat everything in the luscious Alfredo sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. For variations, consider adding vegetables or changing the type of pasta used.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken, creamy tortellini, quick dinner, garlic butter, Velveeta cheese