Description
Hearty Cajun chicken tortellini emerges as a spicy, comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Rich cream sauce and zesty seasoning combine to deliver bold southern-style flavors that satisfy hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 package (20 oz / 566 g) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps Cajun seasoning
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Generously coat chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, ensuring complete and even coverage of the spicy blend.
- Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, carefully place seasoned chicken to create a golden, crispy exterior with rich caramel coloration, cooking thoroughly and rotating occasionally to prevent burning.
- Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter until fragrant, add minced garlic, and sauté until translucent. Pour heavy cream and chicken broth, whisking to create a smooth liquid base.
- Flavor Development: Incorporate Parmesan cheese, additional Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika into the liquid, stirring consistently to develop a rich, creamy consistency. Simmer gently to reduce and intensify flavors.
- Pasta Integration: Fold tortellini into the sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Cover and cook, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and promote even heating.
- Final Assembly: Reintroduce cooked chicken to the skillet, gently mixing to integrate all components and warm the meat thoroughly.
- Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, serving immediately to showcase the vibrant, steaming Cajun-inspired dish.
Notes
- Optimize Cajun Seasoning: Apply seasoning generously but strategically to prevent overwhelming heat, ensuring a balanced flavor profile that allows each ingredient to shine.
- Control Skillet Temperature: Maintain medium heat when searing chicken to achieve a crispy, golden exterior without burning, which helps lock in moisture and develop rich caramelization.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cream and broth slowly and consistently, reducing heat to low-medium while stirring to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy, creating a smooth, luxurious texture.
- Tortellini Absorption Technique: Allow tortellini to simmer gently in sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to help pasta absorb flavors and prevent sticking, ensuring each piece is perfectly coated and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg