Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce One-Pot Dinner

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If you’re dreaming of comfort food that feels like a warm hug after a long day, this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce is everything you need. It’s rich, cheesy, perfectly seasoned, and done all in one pot—because easy cleanup is just as satisfying as the meal itself.

Imagine tender tortellini drenched in a creamy garlic mozzarella sauce, paired with juicy, seared chicken seasoned to perfection. Velveeta adds that nostalgic melt-in-your-mouth creaminess, while red pepper flakes and herbs brighten the whole dish. It’s bold, creamy, and unapologetically delicious.

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What Kind of Tortellini Should I Use?

Refrigerated cheese tortellini works beautifully for this recipe because it cooks quickly and soaks up the sauce like a sponge. You can also use frozen tortellini—just add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time. If you’re going the fresh pasta route, make sure to shorten your simmer time to avoid overcooking.

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Ingredients for the Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for slicing and pan-searing to juicy, golden perfection.

Velveeta Cheese: This is the heart of the creamy sauce. It melts effortlessly and brings a mild, cheesy depth.

Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella adds stretchy, gooey richness that complements the Velveeta.

Tortellini: Cheese-stuffed tortellini balances the savory sauce with its soft, cheesy pockets.

Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious base for the garlic sauce.

Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the dish with bold, aromatic flavor.

Olive Oil & Butter: Used for searing the chicken and creating a base for the sauce with extra richness.

Italian Seasoning & Paprika: Bring warmth and color to the chicken.

Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning both chicken and sauce.

Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Adds a subtle kick that elevates the creamy flavors.

Fresh Parsley (optional): Brightens the dish and adds color.

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How To Make the Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes per side. Remove and let rest before slicing.

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Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

In the same pot, reduce heat to medium and add a touch more butter if needed. Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.

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Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and stir in cubes of Velveeta. Let it melt slowly, stirring often. Once melted, add shredded mozzarella and continue stirring until smooth and creamy.

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Step 4: Add the Tortellini

Stir the tortellini directly into the sauce. Cover and let simmer for 4–6 minutes (or as needed based on the type of tortellini used) until the pasta is tender and infused with flavor.

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Step 5: Slice Chicken and Combine

Slice the rested chicken and layer it over the creamy tortellini. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and fresh parsley on top for garnish. Serve hot straight from the pot or plated with love.

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Serving and Storing Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini with Mozzarella Garlic Sauce

This dish is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a crisp Caesar salad for extra balance. Serve it hot, straight from the pot, while the cheese is at its ooey-gooey peak.

For storing leftovers, let the pasta cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream and warm on the stove over low heat to bring back that silky texture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is this recipe?

The spice is very mild. The red pepper flakes are optional and adjustable. Add more if you love a kick, or skip it entirely for a family-friendly version.

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh?

Absolutely! Shredded rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. Just add it to the sauce when you stir in the tortellini.

Is there a substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be slightly less rich. For an ultra-creamy result, stick with heavy cream.

Can I freeze this dish?

While you can freeze it, the texture of the tortellini and sauce may change slightly upon thawing. For best results, enjoy it fresh or within a few days of refrigeration.

What veggies can I add to this?

Spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or steamed broccoli are great additions that blend well with the creamy sauce.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the chicken and enjoy the cheesy tortellini as a comforting vegetarian meal.

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Want More Dinner Ideas?

If this Easy Creamy Velveeta Chicken Tortellini has your mouth watering, you’ll want to check out these other one-pot and comfort food dinners from Life with Nina:

• Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken and Broccoli — for a broccoli twist on tortellini.
• One Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese — because cheesy chicken pasta never gets old.
• Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Ricotta Alfredo Pasta — luscious and indulgent.
• Cafeteria Noodles with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites — a nostalgic comfort food remake.
• One Skillet Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Pasta — perfect for fans of sweet-heat combos.

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Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add spinach or kick it up with more red pepper? Did you swap the chicken for something else?

I love seeing how you make these recipes your own. If you want more cozy, easy meals, be sure to follow me on Pinterest @LifeWithNinaRecipes where I post new favorites every day.

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