Why Make This Recipe
CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is a comforting and satisfying dish that brings together tender chicken, flavorful marinara, and cheesy tortellini—all cooked in one pot! It’s perfect for busy families or anyone looking to enjoy a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With minimal prep and the convenience of a slow cooker, you can have a hearty dinner ready with ease. Plus, it’s great for leftovers, making it an economical choice too!
How to Make CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Making CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delightful dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- Olive oil spray
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast
- 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
Prepare Your Slow Cooker: Start by spraying the slow cooker with olive oil. This helps prevent the chicken from sticking and makes cleanup easier later.
Arrange the Chicken Breasts: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. This ensures that they cook evenly.
Add Marinara Sauce and Spices: Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken. Then sprinkle the garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes over the top. These spices add a wonderful flavor to the dish.
Add Chicken Broth: Pour the chicken broth over everything. This will keep the chicken moist and help create a tasty sauce.
Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for about 4 hours. If you are in a rush, you can cook it on HIGH for about 2 hours instead.
Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred it right in the slow cooker. This makes it easy to mix with the other ingredients.
Mix in Cheese and Cream: Add the tortellini, mozzarella cheese, and heavy cream to the slow cooker. Stir everything to coat the tortellini and mix in the flavors.
Cook Some More: Cover the slow cooker again and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes. This gives the tortellini time to cook and get tender.
Add Spinach: After the tortellini is cooked, stir in the baby spinach. Cook for an additional 10 minutes. The spinach will wilt down quickly and add a nice color and nutrients.
Finish with Parmesan: Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your taste!
How to Serve CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is wonderful served right from the slow cooker. Scoop it out into bowls and enjoy it hot. You can garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or some fresh herbs, like basil or parsley, for added flavor. Serve it alongside a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
How to Store CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay good for about 3-4 days. When reheating, you can use the microwave or heat it up on the stove over low heat. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it up.
Tips to Make CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh chicken and high-quality marinara sauce will improve the flavor of this dish significantly.
- Check the Chicken: Ensure that the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F) before shredding it.
- Don’t Overcook Tortellini: Keep an eye on cooking times to avoid mushy tortellini. If you prefer a firmer texture, consider adding it to the slow cooker later.
- Customize Flavors: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste. If you love a bit more heat, add extra red chili flakes.
- Add Vegetables: You can enrich the dish with additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for more nutrition and taste.
Variations
While the classic recipe is delicious, there are many ways to customize your CrockPot Chicken Tortellini:
- Different Proteins: You can swap out chicken for turkey or even use Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Option: For a meatless meal, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and swap chicken for extra veggies or mushrooms.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with different cheese varieties such as provolone or sharp cheddar for a unique twist.
- Pasta Options: If you prefer, use other types of pasta like Penne or shells instead of tortellini, keeping in mind the cooking times may vary.
FAQs
1. Can I cook CrockPot Chicken Tortellini on high instead of low?
Yes, you can cook it on HIGH for about 2 hours instead of LOW for 4 hours. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked before shredding.
2. Can I freeze leftover CrockPot Chicken Tortellini?
Yes, you can freeze it, but pasta can become mushy when thawed. It’s best to freeze the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta if you plan to freeze leftovers.
3. What if I don’t have chicken broth?
If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, you can use vegetable broth or even water. However, using broth will add more flavor to the dish.
4. How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.
With these simple instructions and tips, you’ll create a warm, cheesy, and satisfying CrockPot Chicken Tortellini that will please everyone at the table. Enjoy the comforting flavors and the ease of a one-pot meal!
Print
CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and satisfying one-pot meal with tender chicken, marinara, and cheesy tortellini, perfect for busy families.
Ingredients
- Olive oil spray
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast
- 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
- Spray the slow cooker with olive oil.
- Place chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour marinara sauce over the chicken then sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes on top.
- Pour chicken broth over everything.
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours or HIGH for about 2 hours.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks.
- Add tortellini, mozzarella cheese, and heavy cream. Stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes.
- Stir in baby spinach and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Finally, stir in grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat with added broth or water if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: CrockPot, Chicken, Tortellini, One-Pot Meal, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food