Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Recipe
You might not know that "Marry Me Chicken" originated as a viral recipe trend promising such deliciousness that it could prompt a marriage proposal. This creamy, decadent tortellini dish blends rich flavors that'll transform your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary. If you've been searching for a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare at home, you'll want to keep exploring this culinary game-changer that combines convenience with gourmet taste.
Recipe Highlights
- Combine cheese tortellini with a rich, creamy sauce made from heavy cream, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.
- Boil tortellini in salted water, then create a luxurious sauce by simmering cream and garlic until thickened.
- Enhance the dish's flavor by stirring in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and grated Parmesan cheese during sauce preparation.
- Customize the recipe by adding herbs like basil or thyme, or incorporating protein such as grilled chicken or pancetta.
- Serve immediately and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating with additional cream if needed.
History
While the exact origins of "Marry Me Chicken" remain somewhat mysterious, the dish emerged as a viral culinary sensation in the early 2010s through social media and food blogs.
You'll find its roots in classic romantic cooking techniques that blend rich, creamy sauces with bold flavors designed to impress.
The dish likely evolved from traditional Italian-American cuisine, drawing inspiration from:
- Chicken Francese
- Sun-dried tomato pasta dishes
- Cream-based romantic entrees
Bloggers and home cooks began sharing their versions, each adding personal twists that amplified the dish's seductive appeal.
Its name suggests the recipe's power to win hearts through exceptional taste—a culinary proposal on a plate.
Restaurants and home kitchens quickly adopted the concept, transforming it from a viral recipe into a modern comfort food classic.
Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a decadent and creamy pasta dish that effortlessly combines the beloved flavors of marry me chicken with cheese-filled tortellini. This recipe transforms a classic comfort food into an elegant meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
The secret to this dish lies in its rich, velvety sauce, which comes together quickly and coats each tortellini with an irresistible blend of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. By using just a few high-quality ingredients, home cooks can create a restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 20 oz cheese tortellini
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce by heating heavy cream and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Simmer the cream for about 5 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and become fragrant.
Stir the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and half the Parmesan cheese into the cream sauce, creating a rich and vibrant mixture.
Once the tortellini is cooked, drain it and add directly to the skillet, gently tossing to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the luxurious sauce. The starch from the pasta will help the sauce cling perfectly to each tortellini.
For the best results, serve the Marry Me Chicken Tortellini immediately while the sauce is still warm and creamy. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of reserved pasta water.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though you may need to add a splash of cream when reheating to restore the sauce's original consistency.
Cooking Steps
You'll start by boiling a large pot of salted water to cook your cheese tortellini perfectly, ensuring each pasta pillow is tender and ready to absorb the rich sauce.
Next, you'll create the signature creamy base by simmering heavy cream with minced garlic, then enriching the sauce with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and half the Parmesan cheese for depth of flavor.
Finally, you'll drain the tortellini, gently toss it in the luxurious sauce, and top with the remaining Parmesan, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
Step 1. Boil Salted Pasta Water
First, grab a large pot—ideally 4-6 quarts—and fill it with about 3-4 quarts of cold water for your 20 oz of cheese tortellini.
Add salt generously, aiming for a "sea water" concentration: roughly 1-2 tablespoons per pot. This isn't just about flavor—salt raises the water's boiling point, helping pasta cook more evenly.
Key steps for perfect salted water:
- Use cold tap water
- Select a pot with ample room for pasta movement
- Add salt before water reaches boiling point
- Stir salt to ensure complete dissolution
Watch for rolling, vigorous bubbles indicating a true boil. The water should be actively moving, creating a consistent, turbulent surface.
This signals you're ready to add tortellini, ensuring each piece cooks uniformly and absorbs that delicious, seasoned liquid.
Step 2. Simmer Cream With Garlic
After draining your perfectly salted tortellini, shift your attention to creating the luscious cream sauce that'll transform this dish from simple to spectacular.
In a large skillet over medium heat, pour 2 cups of heavy cream, watching it shimmer and begin to bubble gently. Mince 4 fresh garlic cloves finely, releasing their aromatic oils directly into the warming cream.
Stir consistently with a wooden spoon, allowing the mixture to simmer and slightly thicken—about 5 minutes—which concentrates the cream's richness and melds the garlic's pungent notes.
You'll notice the sauce developing a silky texture, signaling it's ready for the next flavor-building step. Keep the heat moderate, preventing scorching, and maintain a slow, steady simmer that develops depth without breaking the delicate cream base.
Step 3. Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes
While the cream simmers softly in the skillet, drain those sun-dried tomatoes from their oily bath and grab a sharp knife for precise chopping.
You'll want to slice them into thin, uniform pieces that'll distribute evenly throughout the creamy sauce. Chopping tip: Blot excess oil with paper towels to prevent the sauce from becoming too greasy.
Target pieces about 1/4-inch in size, which ensures each tortellini gets a perfect tomato bite. The sun-dried tomatoes bring intense, concentrated flavor—their tangy, slightly sweet profile will elevate the entire dish.
Aim for roughly 1/2 cup of chopped tomatoes, measured after draining and patting dry. Be methodical in your chopping, creating bite-sized pieces that'll meld seamlessly into the rich, developing cream sauce.
Step 4. Stir in Parmesan Cheese
Those sun-dried tomato bits nestled perfectly in the simmering cream now invite the star of our flavor show: Parmesan cheese.
You'll want to add half the cheese directly into the sauce, whisking gently to help it melt and integrate smoothly. The cheese will instantly transform your sauce, adding:
- Rich, nutty depth
- Creamy texture
- Subtle saltiness
Stir continuously to prevent clumping, allowing the cheese to create a silky emulsion with the heavy cream.
Watch for these visual cues:
- Sauce becoming slightly thicker
- Cheese fully incorporated
- No visible cheese granules
Once integrated, you're ready for the final step: adding the tortellini.
The remaining Parmesan will serve as a perfect garnish, sprinkled generously over the finished dish for an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
Step 5. Drain Tortellini, Combine Sauce
Gently drain your perfectly cooked tortellini, allowing the pasta water to cascade through a colander while preserving those precious starch-rich droplets.
Keep about 1/4 cup of pasta water nearby—it'll be your secret weapon for sauce consistency if needed.
Transfer the tortellini directly into the simmering cream sauce, using a gentle folding motion to coat each pillow of cheese-filled pasta evenly.
Work carefully to prevent tearing the delicate tortellini while ensuring every piece gets luxuriously dressed in the sun-dried tomato cream.
The residual starch from the pasta will help thicken the sauce naturally, creating a silky, cohesive dish.
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top, letting it melt slightly into the warm sauce for an extra layer of richness and depth.
Final Thoughts
Because this Marry Me Chicken Tortellini recipe offers such a delightful twist on classic comfort food, you'll find it's a game-changer for your weeknight dinner rotation.
The dish balances rich, creamy flavors with the convenience of a quick-prep meal, making it perfect for busy home cooks who don't want to compromise on taste.
Key takeaways include:
- Always use fresh tortellini when possible
- Keep sauce consistency in mind while cooking
- Serve immediately for best texture
- Experiment with additional herbs like basil or thyme
Pro tip: If you're looking to elevate the dish, consider adding grilled chicken or crispy pancetta for extra protein.
The recipe's adaptability means you can personalize it to suit your preferences while maintaining its core deliciousness.
