CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

Why Make This Recipe

CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is a great dish to prepare for busy weeknights or gatherings with friends and family. It’s simple to make, requires minimal prep, and cooks on its own in the slow cooker. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful marinara sauce, cheesy tortellini, and fresh spinach makes for a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy. Plus, it’s a one-pot dish, which means less cleanup!

How to Make CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

Ingredients:

• Olive oil spray
• 1 ½ lbs chicken breast (about 4 medium breasts)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion granules
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 lb cheese tortellini
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 cups baby spinach
• ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Spray the slow cooker with olive oil.
2. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the cooker.
3. Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken.
4. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes over the sauce.
5. Add the chicken broth.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
7. Shred the chicken using two forks and return it to the sauce.
8. Stir in the cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella, and heavy cream.
9. Cook on LOW for another 30 minutes, until the tortellini is tender.
10. Add baby spinach and cook for 10 more minutes until it wilts.
11. Stir in Parmesan cheese, taste, and add salt or pepper if needed.

How to Serve CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

Serve the CrockPot Chicken Tortellini hot, right from the slow cooker. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese on top can enhance the flavors. You can pair this dish with a side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal.

How to Store CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat when you’re ready to enjoy it again. You can freeze the dish as well, though the texture of the tortellini might change slightly after thawing. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Tips to Make CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

• For added flavor, let the chicken marinate in the marinara sauce for a few hours before cooking.
• Adjust the spices to your taste! You can add more red chili flakes for extra heat or swap in your favorite herbs.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the amount of chicken broth or add a spoonful of cornstarch mixed with water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Variation

You can customize this recipe by adding vegetables like bell peppers or carrots. You can also use different types of tortellini, like spinach or mushroom, to change the flavor profile.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but keep in mind that the cooking time may increase slightly.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare all the ingredients in advance and store them in the fridge. Just add them to the slow cooker in the morning for a quick dinner later.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! You can replace chicken with vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Just ensure that your tortellini is cheese-based or vegetable-based.

CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

A comforting one-pot dish featuring tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, marinara sauce, and fresh spinach, perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs chicken breast about 4 medium breasts
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion granules
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 lb cheese tortellini
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 cups baby spinach
• ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Spray the slow cooker with olive oil.
• Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the cooker.
• Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken.
• Sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes over the sauce.
• Add the chicken broth.

Cooking

• Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Shred the chicken using two forks and return it to the sauce.
• Stir in the cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella, and heavy cream.
• Cook on LOW for another 30 minutes, until the tortellini is tender.
• Add baby spinach and cook for 10 more minutes until it wilts.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese, taste, and add salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

Serve hot with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and pair with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Keyword Cheesy Tortellini, CrockPot Chicken Tortellini, Easy Dinner, One-Pot Meal, Slow Cooker Recipe