Description
A cozy, one‑pot dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes: tender chicken and pillowy cheese tortellini simmered in a silky Velveeta and mozzarella garlic sauce. This easy recipe hits all the weeknight dinner ideas boxes—minimal cleanup, big flavor, and kid‑approved cheesiness. Perfect for quick dinners, comforting food ideas, or even a hearty healthy-ish snack portion at lunch.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1‑inch pieces
20 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
8 oz Velveeta, cut into cubes
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups low‑sodium chicken broth
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded low‑moisture mozzarella
1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Season & sear the chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken 4–6 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden.
2. Bloom the garlic: Add minced garlic; cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant (don’t brown).
3. Build the sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Add Velveeta cubes and stir until fully melted and smooth.
4. Cook the tortellini: Stir in tortellini. Simmer 4–6 minutes (or per package) until tender and sauce slightly thickens.
5. Finish & serve: Stir in mozzarella until melted and stretchy. Taste and adjust salt/pepper. Sprinkle parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Reheating tip: Loosen leftovers with a splash of broth or milk over low heat to keep the sauce silky.
Lighter swap: Use half‑and‑half instead of heavy cream; choose part‑skim mozzarella.
Veggie boost: Stir in baby spinach or frozen peas during the last 2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (~1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 585
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg