Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden You Can Make in 20 Minutes

This Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden delivers restaurant flavor with simple steps. Creamy Alfredo, tender chicken, and soft tortellini make the perfect comfort meal.

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden is one of those dishes that tastes like pure comfort. Tender cheese-filled tortellini, juicy chicken, and a smooth Alfredo sauce come together in a bowl that feels warm, rich, and satisfying in every bite. Olive Garden has made this combination incredibly popular because it blends classic Italian-American flavors in a way that always feels indulgent and familiar. This homemade version gives you that same restaurant style experience but with fresher ingredients, better texture, and full control over richness.

The trick is in the sauce and the balance. Real butter, garlic, milk, cream, and parmesan melt together slowly, creating a velvety Alfredo that coats every tortellini without feeling heavy. The chicken is seasoned lightly so the flavor blends with the sauce instead of overpowering it. The tortellini brings softness and extra cheesiness that you cannot get from regular pasta. When everything is tossed together gently, the result is a bowl that feels comforting and luxurious while still being simple enough for weeknights.

Why You Will Love This Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden

This recipe stands out because it hits the comfort zone perfectly without needing complicated steps.

Restaurant flavor with simple ingredients
You get that Olive Garden style richness using everyday pantry items.

Creamy, silky Alfredo sauce
The sauce hugs the tortellini and chicken perfectly.

Cheese-filled pasta adds instant comfort
Tortellini brings a richness that regular pasta cannot match.

Beginner friendly
The steps are clear and easy to follow.

Customizable
You can add broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or more cheese depending on your taste.

Family approved
Comforting, mild, and perfect for both adults and kids.

If you want a luxurious but approachable pasta dish, this Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden is the one.

Ingredients You Need for Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden

For the chicken

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• One half teaspoon garlic powder
• One half teaspoon onion powder
• One half teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper

For the tortellini Alfredo

• 20 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 and a half cups milk
• One half cup heavy cream or half and half
• One and one quarter cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley

Optional add ons: broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, peas, or extra parmesan.

Much like our popular Alfredo Tortellini Chicken Dinner , this dish is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a cozy night in.

Step by Step Instructions for Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden

1. Season the chicken

Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and pat them dry. This simple step helps the chicken brown well.
Season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Rub the spices in so the chicken gets flavorful crust while cooking.

2. Cook the chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Place the chicken breasts in the pan and let them cook without moving for about 4 to 5 minutes.
Flip and cook the other side for another 4 to 6 minutes.
If the chicken cooks too fast, lower the heat slightly.
Once fully cooked, set the chicken aside and let it rest for several minutes before slicing. Resting keeps the chicken juicy instead of dry.

3. Cook the tortellini

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions. Tortellini usually cooks fast, around 3 to 5 minutes.
Drain and set aside.
If the tortellini finishes early, drizzle a little olive oil on top to prevent sticking.

4. Build the Alfredo sauce

Using the same skillet where the chicken cooked, melt the butter over low heat.
Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the milk and the cream. Stir gently and warm the mixture slowly over medium low heat.
Add the parmesan gradually, stirring after each addition so it melts smoothly.
Season with salt and pepper.
If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of milk.
If it feels too thin, let it simmer for a minute to tighten up.
Alfredo sauce should be creamy, smooth, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

5. Combine tortellini with the Alfredo

Add the cooked tortellini into the skillet.
Use a soft spoon or silicone spatula to fold the sauce over the tortellini gently.
Avoid stirring aggressively because cheese tortellini is delicate and can break apart.

6. Add the sliced chicken

Slice the rested chicken into strips.
Place the slices over the creamy tortellini.
You can also mix the chicken directly into the sauce if you want every bite combined.

7. Garnish

Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley for color and brightness.
Add extra parmesan on top for a richer finish.

Tips for the Best Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden

Use fresh refrigerated tortellini
It cooks quickly and stays tender without falling apart.

Add parmesan slowly
This prevents clumping and keeps the sauce smooth.

Do not boil the Alfredo sauce
Low heat keeps the sauce creamy and stable.

Slice chicken after resting
This keeps the chicken moist and tender.

Save a splash of pasta water
It can help thin the sauce if it thickens too much.

Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor

You can upgrade the Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden You Can Make in 20 Minutes dish easily by adding simple ingredients.

Vegetables

• Broccoli florets
• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Zucchini

Cook or steam them lightly before mixing them in.

Extra protein

• Grilled shrimp
• Turkey breast
• Sliced chicken sausage (non-pork)
• Extra chicken

Cheese

• Extra parmesan
• Asiago
• Mozzarella pearls

Olive Garden Style Flavor Tricks

If you want the closest match to Olive Garden, use these tips:

Butter plus garlic is essential
This creates the base aroma that Olive Garden uses.

Use half heavy cream and half milk
Olive Garden Alfredo is rich but not overly thick.

Simmer slowly
The sauce gains body after a few minutes of gentle simmering.

Extra parmesan right before serving
This gives the Alfredo its signature richness.

Variations

There are many simple ways to customize this Chicken Tortellini Alfredo so it fits your taste and what you have in your kitchen. Small changes create new flavors while keeping the creamy, comforting base of the dish.

Broccoli Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
Add lightly steamed broccoli florets to the pasta before mixing in the sauce. The broccoli brings color and freshness that balances the richness of the Alfredo.

Spinach Alfredo Tortellini
Stir a handful of fresh spinach into the warm sauce. It wilts quickly and adds extra nutrients without changing the flavor.

Mushroom Alfredo Tortellini
Sauté sliced mushrooms in a little butter before making the Alfredo sauce. Their earthy flavor pairs beautifully with parmesan and garlic.

Chicken and Peas Tortellini Alfredo
Add one cup of peas during the final mixing step. They bring sweetness and a pop of color that lifts the dish.

Shrimp Tortellini Alfredo
Replace chicken with shrimp for a lighter, sweeter protein option. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side and toss it into the Alfredo at the end.

Extra Cheesy Tortellini Alfredo
Stir in a small amount of mozzarella or asiago just before serving for a richer, cheesier finish.

Lighter Version
Use more milk and less cream, add extra broccoli or spinach, and go lighter on the parmesan. The dish stays creamy but has fewer calories.

What to Serve With Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden

This dish is filling, so lighter sides pair well.

Fresh green salad
A lemon or Italian vinaigrette brightens the meal.

Garlic sautéed broccoli
Adds color and freshness.

Air fryer vegetables
Green beans, asparagus, or carrots work well.

Crusty bread or breadsticks
Helps scoop up leftover Alfredo sauce.

Fruit salad
Grapes or berries add freshness after a creamy dish.

Storage and Reheating of Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden

Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to three days.
The tortellini may absorb sauce, so add milk when reheating.

Freezer
Not recommended because tortellini and Alfredo sauce both change texture when frozen.

Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of milk, stirring gently until smooth.
For the microwave, heat in 25 second intervals with a teaspoon of milk.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden

Can I use frozen tortellini?
Yes, just boil a few minutes longer.

Can I use pre cooked chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie chicken works well.

Why did my sauce separate?
Heat was too high. Alfredo sauce needs gentle heat.

Can I make this dairy free?
Yes, but the texture and flavor will be different.

Final Thoughts

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Olive Garden style brings together creamy sauce, cheese-filled pasta, and tender chicken in one comforting bowl. It feels luxurious but takes less time than you expect. With simple ingredients, easy steps, and classic flavor, this recipe becomes a family favorite you can make on weeknights, weekends, or whenever you want a cozy pasta dish that feels like a restaurant meal at home.

This meal is especially good paired with our soft and savory Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread
for a truly satisfying dinner.