One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini
Imagine a rich, savory dinner that brings together the punch of spice, the comfort of creamy tortellini, and the indulgence of garlic butter chicken—all made in a single pot. This One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is the kind of meal that feels gourmet but takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s weeknight comfort food that doesn’t demand much of your time or energy.
Each bite is packed with flavor thanks to the garlic-infused butter that coats the juicy, seared chicken. The tortellini cooks right in the same skillet, soaking up the bold seasoning and becoming delightfully creamy without needing any heavy cream. It’s the kind of cozy meal that feels like a hug after a long day.
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini
This dish is a dream for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen. The one-pot method means fewer dishes, and the ingredients are simple pantry staples. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable—you can turn up the heat, toss in some veggies, or switch the tortellini for ravioli if that’s what you have.
The balance of spicy and buttery, tender and cheesy, is unbeatable. It’s also a hit with both kids and adults, making it a great family dinner option.
Can I Use Refrigerated or Frozen Tortellini?
Great question! You can use either one. Refrigerated tortellini cooks faster and blends easily with the flavors, but frozen tortellini works beautifully too—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and a splash more broth or water to help it cook evenly. If you prefer dried tortellini, you can use it as well, but you’ll need to adjust the liquid and simmering time.
Ingredients for the One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini
The beauty of this dish is in how basic the ingredients are, yet how flavorful the result is. Each component brings something essential to the final taste and texture.
- Chicken breast or thighs: Lean, juicy, and quick to cook, they form the meaty base of this dish.
- Tortellini: Cheese-filled tortellini adds creaminess and comfort.
- Butter: The base of our rich garlic butter sauce.
- Garlic: Provides a bold, aromatic flavor that infuses the butter and chicken.
- Red pepper flakes: For a kick of heat that makes the dish pop.
- Chicken broth: Adds depth and helps cook the tortellini perfectly.
- Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for that salty, nutty finish.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning every layer of flavor.
- Fresh parsley (optional): Brightens the dish and adds a bit of color.

How To Make the One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Heat some butter in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear until golden on the outside and just cooked through. Remove it and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Garlic Butter Base
Lower the heat and add more butter to the same pan. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, letting them cook until fragrant—just about a minute. Be careful not to brown the garlic.
Step 3: Simmer the Tortellini
Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Add the tortellini straight into the pan and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until they’re tender and have absorbed most of the broth.
Step 4: Bring it All Together
Add the chicken back into the pot along with the parmesan cheese. Stir everything gently so the cheese melts and the chicken is evenly distributed. Let it simmer for a couple more minutes until everything is hot and coated in the buttery sauce.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Top with chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and serve hot. That’s it—no straining, no extra pans, just one pot of deliciousness.
How to Serve and Store This One Pot Tortellini
This recipe serves about four people generously, making it ideal for families or for saving leftovers. Serve it hot right from the pot with a sprinkle of extra parmesan or chili flakes if you’re feeling bold. Leftovers reheat well the next day and keep in the fridge for up to three days. Store in an airtight container and warm it gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
What to Serve With One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini?
Garlic Bread
Crunchy, buttery garlic bread is a no-brainer pairing to soak up the sauce.
Caesar Salad
A crisp Caesar salad offers a fresh and creamy contrast to the richness of the tortellini.
Roasted Broccoli
Roasting adds a touch of char that pairs beautifully with the spicy, buttery flavors.
Lemon Green Beans
The brightness of lemon and the snap of green beans balance out the dish’s richness.
Balsamic Glazed Carrots
Sweet and tangy carrots provide a beautiful contrast to the heat and garlic.
Antipasto Skewers
For a light starter, skewers with olives, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes set the mood.
Chilled White Wine
Pair with a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio for a refreshing touch.
Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?
If you love this spicy garlic butter chicken tortellini, try these delicious favorites next:
- Delicious Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni for a creamy and cozy dinner.
- Creamy Mushroom Ravioli if you crave earthy flavors in a velvety sauce.
- Quick Creamy Cajun Pasta Recipe when you want extra spice and boldness.
- Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine for a buttery, garlicky indulgence.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
Let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go for extra spice or add some spinach? Maybe swapped the tortellini for ravioli?
I always love seeing how others make these recipes their own. Questions welcome—let’s make dinner easier and better together.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting meals and comfort dinners on Luna Meals on Pinterest and find your new favorite dish!
Conclusion
One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini brings together the boldness of spice, the comfort of pasta, and the ease of one-pot cooking into one perfect meal. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, it offers big flavor with minimal fuss—and that’s a win on any night.

One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This One Pot Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini is a quick and flavorful dinner packed with cheesy tortellini, seared chicken, and a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight meals, this creamy spicy chicken pasta is cooked in one pot with minimal cleanup. A comforting and bold dish everyone will crave.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
10 oz cheese tortellini, refrigerated or frozen
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a large pot or skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
5. Add tortellini directly to the pot. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes or until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
6. Return the chicken to the pot and add parmesan cheese. Stir gently to combine and let simmer for 2–3 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
7. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using and serve hot.
Notes
This recipe works great with both refrigerated and frozen tortellini.
To make it creamier, you can add a splash of cream or milk at the end.
Control the spice level by adjusting the red pepper flakes up or down.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg


