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This Creamy Caesar Chicken Tortellini is SO addicting!  My family raved about it for days!   Its  wonderfully cheesy, garlicky, lemony, & perfect with tortellini and juicy chicken!  I will be using the chicken marinade just plain too its so good! 
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Caesar Chicken Pasta (Lightened Up)

Lightened Up Caesar Chicken Tortellini is bursting with your favorite Caesar dressing flavors but in AMAZING pasta!  The creamy, cheesy, garlicky, lemony, homemade Caesar Parmesan Sauce is out of this world all smothering juicy chicken and cheesy tortellini!   This Caesar Chicken Tortellini is comfort food at its most addictive! 
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

CHICKEN MARINADE (OPTIONAL)*

CAESAR PARMESAN SAUCE

  • 1 20 oz. package quality cheese tortellini
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoons butter
  • 2-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Asian fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
  • 1/2 tsp EACH dried parsley, dried basil, onion powder, salt
  • 1/4 tsp EACH dried oregano, pepper, red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 oz. cream cheese, softened (I use 1/3 less fat)

GARLIC CROUTONS** (OPTIONAL)

  • 3 cups cubed French baguette bread (approx. 1/2-1”)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

GARNISH (OPTIONAL)

  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • fresh parsley
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Instructions

MARINADE:

  • Add all chicken marinade ingredients (except chicken) to a large freezer bag or bowl and whisk to combine. Add chicken, toss to evenly coat. Refrigerate at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 4 hours.

TORTELLINI

  • TORTELLINI: Cook pasta al dente according to package directions in salted water. Remove 1 cup pasta water before draining.

CROUTONS

  • Preheat oven to 400F degrees F. Whisk together olive oil, Parmesan, garlic powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add cubed bread and gently toss until evenly coated. Spread bread in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 10 minutes or until golden.

CHICKEN

  • Meanwhile, heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and dab off excess then add to hot skillet and cook, undisturbed, for 3-5 minutes, or until nicely browned on one side.
  • Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-7 more minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through. Remove to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before chopping or slicing.

CAESAR PARMESAN SAUCE

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook while stirring for 2 minutes (it will be thick).
  • Turn heat to low then slowly whisk in milk, followed by lemon juice, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, chicken bouillon and all seasonings.
  • Increase heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a simmer until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in cream cheese until melted followed by Parmesan cheese until melted.
  • Stir in tortellini and chicken until well coated and heated through, adding additional reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to reach desired consistency.
  • Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or lemon juice to taste.

GARNISH

  • Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, crouton and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

*May substitute 2 ½ cups chopped rotisserie chicken breasts
**Croutons can be prepared days in advance and stored in an airtight container.