Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of Cheesy Garlic Cajun Chicken Tortellini with Velveeta Cream Sauce, a dish that beautifully marries rich flavors with comforting textures. This recipe features tender chicken and cheesy tortellini enveloped in a velvety sauce, making it an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends. In just 30 minutes, you can create a meal that’s not only delicious but also customizable to suit any palate. Add your favorite veggies for extra nutrition or adjust the seasoning to meet your spice preference. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh herbs, for a truly delightful culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 20 oz refrigerated or fresh cheese tortellini
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to package instructions until tender. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- While the tortellini cooks, season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the seasoned chicken and sear for about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes to form a light roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Let this mixture simmer for about 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Lower the heat and stir in Velveeta cheese and cream cheese. Keep stirring until both are fully melted into a smooth sauce.
- Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Let it thicken more if desired; season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add cooked tortellini and seared chicken into the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in that rich, cheesy Cajun sauce. If necessary, use some reserved pasta water to thin it out slightly.
- Serve warm with chopped parsley or chives on top for an extra pop of color!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg