Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
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Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
Introducing Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini—a delightful harmony of bold flavors and creamy indulgence. Featuring succulent blackened chicken, tender tortellini, and a luscious Parmesan cheesy sauce, this recipe is the epitome of simplicity and taste, making it the perfect choice for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. Dairy-free, Vegan + Gluten-free Option.
Y'all, guess what? After years of whipping up my homemade blackened seasoning, I've finally shared it on Orchids + Sweet Tea! I might have gone a tad overboard with all these 'Blackened' recipes, but that signature crust it creates is just too addictive and delicious!
Let me tell you about this Creamy Blackened Chicken + 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 hint of spice from that blackened seasoning. 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!
If you're as obsessed with blackened recipes as I am, you've got to try these next: Easy Weeknight Blackened Chicken Tacos, Blackened Shrimp Po' Boy, Blackened Salmon Chowder, and don't forget about the perfect match—my Easy Shredded Chicken recipe! They're all sure to satisfy your craving for bold flavors and hearty meals.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
- What is Tortellini?
- How To Make Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
- Ingredients
- What Is Blackened Chicken?
- How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
- Homemade Tortellini vs. Store-bought
- How Long to Cook Tortellini
- What Kind of Tortilini Fillings Work For This Tortellini Recipe
- Topping Ideas for Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Creamy Blackened Chicken + Tortellini With?
- Vegan Blackened Options
- Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini Q + A's
- More Delicious Pasta Dinner Ideas
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
Once you make and eat this Creamy Blackened 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.
- 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?
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).
How To Make Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
This dish involves a few steps: seasoning your blackened chicken, 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—it's up to you. It's also great for meal prep!
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- Organic chicken breasts. You can also use things, drumsticks, etc.
- Blackened seasoning. You can use either store-bought or learn how to make your own easy 5-minute blackened seasoning HERE!
- 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
- All-purpose flour. This helps to thicken the sauce up.
- Blackened seasoning.
- 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.
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 Blackened Chicken with Tortellini recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
What Is Blackened Chicken?
Blackened chicken is a flavor-packed sensation, where chicken is coated with savory spices (often a little spicy), then seared or cooked in the oven to create a smoky, charred crust. It's a bold and spicy journey for your taste buds, often associated with Cajun and Creole cuisine.
I have complete faith in my Homemade Blackened Seasoning—it's my secret weapon. I even gave it a spin on Creamy Blackened Chicken Rigatoni Pasta and Easy Blackened Salmon Sliders recipes recently, and it worked like magic. So, naturally, it's the ideal choice for elevating this chicken pasta dish to perfection! You can adjust the spice blend to suit your preferred level of heat and flavor!
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 Tortilini Fillings Work For This Tortellini Recipe
For this specific Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini recipe, I chose to use cheese tortillini. 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:
- Sausage
- Vegan filling options
- Spinach and Ricotta
- Mushroom
- Four cheese
Topping Ideas for Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
While I love this Creamy Blackened 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
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Creamy Blackened Chicken + Tortellini With?
When it comes to serving this mouthwatering Creamy Blackened 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.
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!
Vegan Blackened Options
Vegetarians and vegans, you can still enjoy the amazing flavors of this dish with some meat-free options seasoned with blackened seasoning. 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 blackened seasoning and roast until crunchy and flavorful.
- Portobello mushrooms. Brush portobello mushrooms with oil, sprinkle with blackened seasoning, and grill until tender.
- Seitan strips. Coat seitan strips in blackened seasoning and pan-fry until crispy and well-seasoned.
- Jackfruit. Season canned young green jackfruit with blackened seasoning and sauté until caramelized.
See the FAQ below on how to make all elements of this dish vegan!
Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini Q + A's
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.
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.
The level of spiciness can vary depending on your preference and the amount of blackened seasoning used. Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste buds.
More Delicious Pasta Dinner Ideas
If you are a fan of this Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini, then you’ll most certainly enjoy the following pasta-centered dinner options:
- Spicy Cajun Vodka Pasta Without Vodka
- Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta
- Creamy Roasted Garlic Kale Pasta with Parmesan
- Creamy Tuscan Lobster Pasta
- Vegan Bolognese
- Lemon Herb Roasted Chickpeas + Bucatini
- Sweet Potato Pasta Skillet
- Weeknight Tomato Kale Ravioli Bake
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Creamy Blackened 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 @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Creamy Blackened Chicken with Tortellini
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts (You can also use things, drumsticks, etc.)
- 1-2 Tbsps blackened seasoning
- 4 Tbsps unsalted butter
SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon organic all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon blackened seasoning
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream, organic
- 2 cups chicken stock, organic
- 3 Tbsps white cooking wine (You can sub with chicken stock, if desired)
- 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped kale
- 1 (8oz.) package cheese tortellini
Instructions
SEASON THE CHICKEN:
- In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with the blackened seasoning, 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 BLACKENED 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 blackened seasoning and stir until well combined. Add in the flour and continue to stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add in the heavy cream, chicken stock, and white wine, stirring until combined. Let it slightly bubble for 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 and return the chicken breasts. Let everything simmer for 15-20 minutes 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 chicken breasts as they continue to cook.
- Remove from heat once done.
- 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.
- DAIRY-FREE OPTION: To make this sauce dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead of the 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.
- VEGAN OPTION: To see meat alternatives for this dish, see Post!
- SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in spice/herb flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
Nutrition
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