Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
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Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini—a one-pan dinner that’s bursting with bold, zesty flavor. Juicy, pan-seared chicken pieces are simmered in a velvety lemon garlic herb cream sauce, then tossed with tender cheese-stuffed tortellini for a hearty, satisfying meal. Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley elevate the flavor, while a splash of lemon juice adds brightness to every bite. This easy weeknight dinner is ready in just 45 minutes and perfect for busy families or cozy date nights. Plus, it’s versatile with gluten-free and dairy-free options!
When it comes to tortellini, I'm such a major fan. Sometimes you just need a pasta with a little filling inside and I enjoy using both the cheese tortellini and spinach + cheese version-----both which are perfect in this dish. However, in any pasta recipe, the seasonings and sauce are the two main things that need to always remain on point. Personally, I love a good all-purpose blend that goes on everything, which is why I created my On Everything All-Purpose Blend. It works perfectly with this lemon garlic herb flavor and if you haven't tried this "trio" flavor combo yet---then I recommend trying my Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Kale Pasta, Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade, Lemon Garlic Herb Butter Roast Turkey, and more.
Let me tell you about this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini—it's the ultimate meal for weeknights, date nights, and every night (plus lunch the next day)! It's incredibly creamy, bursting with rich flavor, and has a nice herby addition from the chicken and sauce. And let's not forget about the tortellini—it adds the perfect bite and heartiness when mixed with the sauce and tender chicken. It's downright delicious!
The thing about pasta dishes that I love most is both their versatility and the ability to be able to add other ingredients based on preference without compromising flavor. For instance, with this One Pot Chicken and Tortellini dish, I like to add kale or spinach to the dish on some days for extra flavor and texture. You can even make it a 4-cheese type dish by adding additional cheeses other than parmesan and the list of tweaks goes on.
This one pot pasta recipe is overall super easy to make, perfect zesty lemon + herb flavor combo, completely family-approved, and the best option for weeknight dinners, easy summer cooking, game days, and holiday gatherings—plus it comes with a great dairy-free and gluten-free option for those who need it!
Jump to:
- What is Tortellini?
- Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
- How To Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Swaps
- How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
- Homemade Tortellini vs. Store-bought
- How Long to Cook Tortellini
- What Kind of Tortellini Fillings Work For This Tortellini Recipe
- Topping Ideas for Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
- Vegan Lemon Garlic Herb Options
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken + Tortellini With?
- Common Q + A's for Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
- More Flavorful One Pot/Pan Recipes to Try Next!
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
What is Tortellini?
Basically, tortellini is pasta that originated in the Italian region. Traditionally, they come stuffed with a mix of meat, cheese (ricotta or Parmigiano Reggiano), egg, and nutmeg, which is then served in capon broth.
Unlike ravioli which comes square shaped and stuffed, tortellini are ring or navel-shaped (visually similar to a tiny wonton or croissant).
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
Once you make and eat this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini—– you’ll fall in absolute love. Haha. More importantly, here are also the reasons why you’ll love it the most:
- A quick + easy weeknight meal that's simple to prepare and utterly delicious.
- Bursting with zesty lemon + savory garlic flavors.
- So creamy and full of texture.
- Great for meal prepping and make aheads for the week!
- Super flavorful.
- Perfect for Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter vibes!
- Loved by all ages, this dish is sure to become a favorite at the dinner table.
- Did I mention, it’s just delicious?
How To Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
This dish involves a few steps: seasoning your chicken with a great All-purpose seasoning blend, searing it in butter, and making the creamy sauce. Then, cook your tortellini and combine everything for a creamy finish. You can cut your chicken into chunks or slices or use bigger pieces like drumstick, thighs, etc.—it's up to you. It's also great for meal prep!
Ingredients
It’s surprising that this pasta dish has such a short and sweet ingredient list, when you consider how flavor-packed it is. This is a great pantry recipe to whip up on a weeknight with the following ingredients:
CHICKEN:
- Organic chicken pieces. You can use breasts, thighs, drumsticks, etc.
- On Everything All-Purpose Blend. This is my go-to for building deep flavor with ease. You can purchase my signature On Everything All-Purpose blend for that bold, well-rounded taste. You can also make your own homemade blend.
- Unsalted butter. Provides richness + flavor for cooking the chicken, and helps prevent it from sticking.
SAUCE:
- Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
- Garlic cloves. Minced
- On Everything All-Purpose Blend.
- Heavy cream. Creates the luscious, velvety base of the sauce. I use Organic Valley.
- Chicken stock. Enhances the savory notes and adds depth to the sauce. Whole Foods has a great organic option!
- White cooking wine. You can sub with chicken stock, if desired
- Freshly-grated parmesan cheese. I love to freshly grate my cheese, however, you can use your favorite shredded brand---quality does matter! For a dairy-free option, So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife cheese shreds taste great.
- Kale. De-stemmed + chopped.
- Cheese tortellini. Feel free to use your favorite type + filling.
Ingredient Swaps
If you’d like, it’s easy to mix up the ingredients in this pasta dish to use whatever is in your pantry. Here are a few swaps and substitutions to try:
- Try adding other greens, such as broccolini, asparagus, chard or spinach.
- Try romano or a different grated cheese instead of parmesan.
- Use coconut milk to replace heavy cream for a dairy-free version (you’ll also need to use dairy-free cheese and dairy-free tortellini).
- Choose vegetable or beef stock instead of chicken.
You can also add more veggies, such as carrots, onions, or roasted tomatoes to the dish for added nutrients and color.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!
Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
When searing chicken, you want to make sure it's cooked all the way through. Here's how to tell:
Look at the color --- The chicken should have a golden-brown crust on the outside, indicating it's been seared properly.
Check the internal temperature --- Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165°F (75°C) to be safe to eat.
Test the juices --- Pierce the chicken with a fork. If the juices run clear and there's no pink inside, it's likely done.
Feel the texture --- The chicken should feel firm when you press it, not squishy or rubbery.
If you're still unsure, cut into the thickest part. It should be opaque with no pink, and there should be no traces of blood.
Homemade Tortellini vs. Store-bought
Usually, I like purchasing organic tortellini via Whole Foods, which has a great option by Artisola. However, making your own tortellini much like ravioli is something feasible as well!
Tortellini is generally made with either round pasta wrappers or square pasta wrappers. In either case, you'll just be sure to roll your dough as thin as possible. Overall, like most stuffed pasta, try to not over-stuff the centers, always keep the pasta dough covered to avoid drying, use ample flour, and take your time when assembling----all of which help to make the perfect tortellini.
Regardless of whether you use homemade or not, this creamy pasta recipe is sure to come out amazingly!
How Long to Cook Tortellini
Like with many other types of pasta, you bring a pot of water to a boil, add the tortellini along with olive oil or salt, and let it boil for 4-9 minutes, depending on the packaging and brand----shorter than most other pastas.
General rule of thumb: 2 to 3 minutes for refrigerated (soft) tortellini, 3 to 5 minutes for frozen tortellini, and 10 to 11 minutes for dried tortellini. Signs of doneness are when the pasta floats to the surface of the water, and has an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
What Kind of Tortellini Fillings Work For This Tortellini Recipe
For this specific Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini recipe, I chose to use cheese tortellini. However, there are so many options (whether homemade or store-bought) that can help to elevate this entire dish based on the use of any of the following ravioli:
- Four cheese
- Sausage
- Vegan filling options
- Spinach and Ricotta
- Mushroom
Topping Ideas for Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
While I love this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini dinner as-is, straight from the pan, you can dress it up with toppings if you like.
For extra flavor, color, and texture, you can try:
- Candied bacon (If you eat meat)
- Dollops of Pesto Sauce
- Chopped nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts
- Homemade croutons
- Sliced jalapeños for a bit more heat
- Herb roasted tomatoes
- Roasted pumpkin seeds for texture
- Grated lemon zest --adds a zesty, citrusy twist that brightens up the dish.
- Parmesan cheese
- Crispy sage leaves
- Toasted panko bread crumbs
Vegan Lemon Garlic Herb Options
Vegetarians and vegans, you can still enjoy the amazing flavors of this dish with some meat-free options seasoned with my All-purpose seasoning and then drenched in the creamy lemon garlic herb sauce. Here are a few of my top picks for you to try out:
- Tofu or Tempeh. Coat slices with blackened seasoning and sear until crispy
- Vegan 'Chicken'. Follow the same steps for cooking.
- Chickpeas. Toss cooked chickpeas with all-purpose seasoning and roast until crunchy and flavorful.
- Portobello mushrooms. Brush portobello mushrooms with oil, sprinkle with all-purpose seasoning, and grill until tender.
- Seitan strips. Coat seitan strips in all-purpose seasoning and pan-fry until crispy and well-seasoned.
- Jackfruit. Season canned young green jackfruit with all-purpose seasoning and sauté until caramelized.
See the FAQ below on how to make all elements of this dish vegan!
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken + Tortellini With?
When it comes to serving this mouthwatering Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini there are some options that will truly elevate your meal. First off, don't forget to have some bread on hand. I love this Homemade Roasted Garlic Bread. Trust me; you'll want to dip it into that luscious, saucy goodness. If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like this Fall Harvest BBQ Chickpea Kale Salad or this Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad. It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy weeknight dinner beautifully.
If you want to add something bright and refreshing on the side, try my Ultimate Smashed Cucumber Salad or Fall Harvest Apple Kale Salad.
But here's the thing. This creamy chicken pasta is so darn amazing that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the creamy sauce + luscious tender blackened chicken is everything! It's just bursting with flavor. So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
Common Q + A's for Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, it's best when done in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop. You'll need to add a bit of heavy cream or chicken stock to re-create the creaminess of the sauce when heating it up. Stir in the added liquid and it should become creamy again.
Yes of course! To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus.
Absolutely! To make this sauce dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead of regular butter. Then swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan and ensure that the tortellini pasta is dairy-free. See above for vegan alternatives for the chicken in this recipe.
Yup! To make this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini GF-friendly, simply substitute the tortellini with a gluten-free version (or other pasta) and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly (chicken stock, heavy cream, etc.).
More Flavorful One Pot/Pan Recipes to Try Next!
Now that you're on a snacking kick with this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini recipe, give these flavorful, bold one pot/pan recipes that your entire family will love a try next:
- The Perfect Veggie Frittata
- Biscoff Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls
- One-Pot Chickpeas and White Beans
- Vegan Potato and Chickpea Curry
- Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
- Authentic Vegan Jamaican Red Peas Soup
- Extra Fluffy Honey Blueberry Pancakes
- Orange Olive Oil Bundt Cake
- Nourishing Winter Veggie Soup
- Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pot Pie
- Weeknight Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Andouille Sausage + Peppers
- Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried my Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag me @shanikagrahamwhite on Instagram. I love hearing from you!
Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken with Tortellini
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 2 lbs. organic chicken pieces (You can use breasts, thighs, drumsticks, etc.)
- 1-2 Tbsps On Everything All-Purpose Blend (You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for authentic flavor or make your own blend----See Notes)
- 2 tsps smoked paprika
- 4 Tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 (8 oz.) package cheese + spinach tortellini (You can use your fave tortellini)
SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chicken stock, organic (You can also sub with chicken bone broth for extra nutrtients)
- 1 ½ cups organic heavy cream
- 3 Tbsps white cooking wine (You can sub with chicken stock, if desired)
- 1 teaspoon On Everything All-Purpose Blend (You can purchase my On Everything All-Purpose Blend for authentic flavor or make your own blend----See Notes)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (You can sub with 1 lemon, thinly sliced to add to the sauce while cooking)
- ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed (You can also make your own lemon juice using my recipe!)
- 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped kale
Instructions
SEASON THE CHICKEN:
- In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with the On Everything All-Purpose seasoning, and smoked paprika, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
SEAR THE CHICKEN:
- In a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat, add the butter and once fully melted, add the seasoned chicken and cook on each side until seared, about 3-4 minutes each side. Once brown on each side, remove from skillet and set unto a plate to "rest" while you make the sauce.
TO MAKE THE CREAMY LEMON GARLIC HERB SAUCE:
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil until heated.
- Add the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes. Add in the On Everything All-purpose blend and salt and stir until well combined. Add in the flour and continue to stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the chicken stock, and the seared chicken, stirring to combine everything. Allow the chicken to cook for 15-20 minutes, reducing the heat to low for it to simmer, if needed.
- Add in the heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest and white wine, stirring until combined. Let it slightly bubble for another 1-2 minutes and then add in the grated parmesan, whisking until fully melted and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the chopped kale, stirring until combined. Let everything simmer or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. In the last 5 minutes, add the tortellini and stir to incorporate.
- Stir the sauce occasionally and spoon it unto the as they continue to cook.
- Garnish with a bit of grated parmesan (for extra cheesy flavor), if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, it's best when done in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop. You'll need to add a bit of heavy cream or chicken stock to re-create the creaminess of the sauce when heating it up. Stir in the added liquid and it should become creamy again.
- GREENS: To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus.
- GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: See FAQ section!
- DAIRY-FREE OPTION: See FAQ Section!
- VEGAN OPTION: To see meat alternatives for this dish, see Blog Post!
- HOMEMADE ALL-PURPOSE BLEND: 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, + 1 teaspoon dried parsley.
Nutrition
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This is so flavorful! Love the herb marinade. I filleted the chicken breasts and they were perfectly cooked at 20 minutes. I didn’t have cream so I substituted blended cottage cheese with a little milk to thin it.
Hi Wendy! I'm so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for giving it a try! 🙂