Name: Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound cheese tortellini; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 pound boneless (skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes); 4 garlic cloves (sliced); 1/3 cup dry white wine; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (roughly chopped); 1 cup heavy cream; 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 6-8 fresh basil leaves (shredded); Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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This Marry Me Chicken Tortellini has pillowy tortellini and juicy bites of chicken, all smothered in a heavenly creamy tomato sauce. The flavors are absolutely amazing, making this dish perfect for impressing a date!

A bowl of marry me chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes.

If you love the TikTok viral Marry Me Chicken recipe, it’s time to try perhaps its coziest, most delicious variation — Marry Me Tortellini!

Few things are more comforting and satisfying than a heaping bowl of creamy tortellini, and this Marry Me Tortellini recipe takes it to a whole new level.

You have soft, pillowy tortellini, tender bites of juicy chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a velvety, most delicious tomato sauce. If that won’t impress your date, I don’t know what will.

Marry Me Tortellini is the perfect recipe to make on Valentine’s Day, date night, or simply anytime you feel like something super yummy and comforting. Every bite is pure bliss!

What’s even better about this recipe is that it’s ready in just 30 minutes, but it tastes just like something you’d enjoy in a restaurant.

Why you’ll love this Marry Me Tortellini recipe

The amazingly creamy, flavorful sauce — The combination of garlic, white wine, sundried tomatoes and cream results in an absolutely dreamy sauce.
Super easy to make — Marry Me Tortellini has no business tasting that good, given that you can have it on the table in 30 minutes!
Highly customizable — Use any kind of tortellini you like, swap the chicken thighs for breast, or add some red chili flakes for a bit of a kick. The possibilities are endless!

A bowl of tortellini in a creamy tomato sauce.

What you’ll need

Tortellini — Choose cheese-filled tortellini for a rich and satisfying flavor. Make sure you cook them al dente so they’re perfect even after mixing with the sauce.
Olive oil + butter — — This is a dream team! Olive oil is great for cooking at high heat, and butter? Well, it just makes everything better with its creamy goodness.
Chicken — Choose those juicy, flavor-packed, boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Chop them up into nice bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Trust me, they're way more flavorful than breast meat.
Garlic — Fresh is the way to go. Slice or mince it finely to really get that flavor out there.
Dry white wine — It adds such a nice depth and a bit of zing. Not into cooking with wine? No worries, chicken broth works, too.
Italian seasoning — This is like the secret spice mix that brings it all together. You can mix your own with some basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme for an extra fresh kick.
Tomato paste — A little goes a long way in adding that rich, deep tomato flavor. Give it a quick cook to mellow it out and concentrate those flavors.
Sun-dried tomatoes — These little gems add a wonderful tangy kick. Chop them up so they blend nicely into every bite.
Heavy cream — This creates a luscious, creamy sauce. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, you can use half and half, but the sauce won’t be quite as indulgent.
Parmesan cheese — Freshly grated is the way to go. It melts beautifully and adds a lovely salty, nutty touch to your sauce.
Basil leaves — Fresh basil at the end is like a little “ta-da!” for your dish. It adds both freshness and color.

How to make Marry Me Chicken Tortellini

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken thighs and cook until they're nicely browned and cooked through.

Steps for making marry me chicken tortellini. Cooking the chicken.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the sliced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, reserve 1-2 cups of the cooking water, drain the tortellini and set aside.

Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to simmer and reduce slightly for about 2-3 minutes.

Stir in the Italian seasoning and tomato paste. Mix well to combine with the garlic and wine.

Steps for making creamy sun-dried tomato tortellini.

Add the sun-dried tomatoes and then stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it begins to thicken.

Instructions for making marry me tortellini.

Next, add the cooked tortellini to the skillet and toss to combine.

Stir in the grated Parmesan and fresh basil, and give everything a good mix.

Finishing steps for making marry me tortellini.

Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve with extra grated Parmesan on top if you like.

Helpful tips

Pat the chicken dry before browning. This helps get a nice, golden sear and locks in flavors.
Choose a wine you’d enjoy drinking. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio are all great choices. The flavor of the wine is crucial as it forms the base of your sauce.
If your sauce seems too thick, add a little pasta water to thin it out. The starch in the water also helps the sauce cling to the tortellini.
Remove the skillet from heat before adding the Parmesan cheese. This prevents the cheese from clumping and helps it melt smoothly into the sauce.

Substitutions and variations

If you enjoy a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic or a splash of hot sauce into the cream sauce.
Instead of chicken, try using shrimp, scallops, or even Italian sausage. If using shrimp or scallops, remember they cook quickly, so add them towards the end of the cooking process.
Not a fan of tortellini? This recipe can also work well with other types of pasta like penne, fusilli, or even ravioli.

A bowl of tortellini with sun-dried tomatoes and chicken bites.

What to serve with Marry Me Tortellini

Garden salad: A light, fresh garden salad with a mix of greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette complements the richness of the tortellini dish beautifully.
Garlic bread: Who can resist warm, buttery garlic bread? It's perfect for soaking up any leftover creamy sauce and adds a delightful garlicky crunch to your meal.
Steamed vegetables: For a healthier side, consider steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans.

Leftovers and storage

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Gently reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave it, covered, on medium power, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Freeze for up to 2 months in a well-sealed container or freezer bag. Note that the cream sauce may separate slightly when thawed, but a good stir while reheating should bring it back together.

If you liked this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe, you might also like some of my other cozy comfort recipes:

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