Recipe Rewind: Creamy Tomato Tortellini with Chicken and Broccoli

While browsing my archives recently looking for meal ideas, I came across this recipe for creamy tomato tortellini that I posted just about four years ago. In that post, I raved about how delicious it was, but I realized I hadn't made it since -- and I decided I needed to remedy that immediately.

To stretch the meal a bit (since I am now feeding three hungry boys with huge appetites, two more than four years ago!), I added some chicken, which worked wonderfully with the rest of the flavors. I also added some garlic and some chicken stock for another level of flavor. So this has a few more ingredients than the recipe I originally posted, but it's no less easy to prepare.

You guys, this is so good. I'd completely forgotten how good it is! It's been a while since I made a pasta sauce with cream cheese, and I'd forgotten what a creamy, tangy, rich sauce it makes. 

I can guarantee you: I will not be letting another four years go by before I make this again.

Creamy Tomato Tortellini with Chicken and Broccoli

3 tablespoons butter, divided
1/2 pound chicken tenders
Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes, drained
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 19-ounce package frozen cheese tortellini
1 package frozen steam-in-a-bag broccoli florets
Parmesan cheese 

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning and add to the skillet. Cook, turning once, until chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.

2. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Stir in the chicken stock and diced tomatoes and heat through. Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, stirring until melted. Let cook on low heat until thickened. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Cook the tortellini according to package directions; drain. Cook the broccoli in the microwave according to package directions. Chop the reserved chicken.

4. Add the broccoli and chicken to the drained tortellini and pour the sauce over the top, stirring gently to combine. Serve each portion topped with shredded parmesan cheese.