Autumn Chicken Tortellini Comfort – Creamy Fall Dinner

Autumn Chicken Tortellini Comfort – Creamy Fall Dinner

Main Ingredients

• 2 boneless chicken breasts, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
• 1 cup halved Brussels sprouts
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ tsp dried sage
• 12 oz cheese tortellini
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan

Seasonings & Flavors

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp fresh thyme leaves

Optional

• toasted pumpkin seeds
• fresh parsley, chopped
• extra Parmesan shavings

Instructions

1. 1Sear chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil over medium‑high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear 3‑4 minutes until golden. Watch for sticking; deglaze with a splash of broth if needed.
2. 2Roast vegetables: Toss squash and Brussels sprouts with 1 tbsp oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast 20‑25 minutes at 425°F, turning halfway until caramelized and crisp.
3. 3Build broth: In a large pot, sauté garlic 30 seconds, then add remaining broth, heavy cream, sage, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine.
4. 4Combine & simmer: Add roasted vegetables and seared chicken to the broth. Simmer 5 minutes; smell the aroma of sage and roasted squash as a cue.
5. 5Cook tortellini: Stir in tortellini and cook 5‑7 minutes until al dente. Watch for the pasta floating to the surface—that signals doneness.
6. 6Finish: Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan, and adjust seasoning. If sauce looks thin, let sit uncovered 2‑3 minutes to thicken.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: Finish with a drizzle of browned butter for an extra nutty aroma.
• Best substitution: Use goat cheese in place of Parmesan for tangier flavor, but lose some salty depth.
• Make-ahead: Roasted veg can be prepared two days ahead; reheat gently in broth.
• Scaling: Double the broth and pasta for 8 servings; keep seasoning proportional.
• Troubleshooting: If broth is watery, simmer uncovered to reduce; if tortellini is mushy, remove and add fresh cooked pasta.

Nutrition Per Serving