why make this recipe
This CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is easy and warm. It uses few hands-on minutes. The slow cooker makes the chicken soft and the sauce rich. It feeds a family and makes good leftovers.
introduction
This is a simple slow cooker dish with chicken, marinara, cheese tortellini, and spinach. You set the chicken to cook, shred it, then add tortellini and cheese. The meal comes out creamy and comforting. It works on busy days and on cold nights.
how to make CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
- Spray the slow cooker with olive oil.
- Put the chicken breasts in one layer in the cooker.
- Pour marinara sauce over the chicken and sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes.
- Add chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours, until chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the sauce.
- Stir in cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella, and heavy cream.
- Cook on LOW for another 30 minutes, until tortellini is tender.
- Add baby spinach and cook for 10 more minutes so it wilts.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, taste, and add salt or pepper if needed.
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 :
- Spray the slow cooker with olive oil.
- Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer.
- Pour marinara sauce and spices over the chicken.
- Cover and set the slow cooker to LOW for about 4 hours.
- Shred cooked chicken with forks.
- Return shredded chicken to the cooker and mix with sauce.
- Add tortellini, mozzarella, and heavy cream, stirring well.
- Cook on LOW for another 30 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and cook for 10 more minutes.
- Add Parmesan cheese, taste, and adjust seasoning.
how to serve CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Scoop the tortellini and chicken into bowls. Add extra grated Parmesan on top if you like. Serve with a side salad or garlic bread. This dish is creamy, so a crisp side helps balance it.
how to store CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Let the dish cool to room temperature. Put it in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until warm. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating if it seems thick.
tips to make CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
- Use boneless, skinless chicken for easy shredding.
- Do not overcook tortellini in the slow cooker; add it late so it stays tender.
- Stir the pot well after adding cheese so it melts evenly.
- If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered for a few minutes to reduce it.
- Taste and add salt or pepper at the end.
variation (if any)
- For a creamier version, use full-fat cream and extra mozzarella.
- Try cooked sausage instead of chicken for a different flavor.
- Use spinach or kale, or skip greens if preferred.
- Swap marinara for Alfredo sauce for a white sauce option.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: It is safer to use thawed chicken. Frozen chicken can take longer and may cook unevenly.
Q: Can I use store-bought cooked rotisserie chicken?
A: Yes. Add cooked chicken later with the tortellini and heat until warmed through.
Q: Can I make this in a pot on the stove?
A: Yes. Cook the chicken in a saucepan, shred it, then add sauce and tortellini and cook until the pasta is done.
Q: Can I use spinach other than baby spinach?
A: Yes. Chop larger spinach or use kale, but cook a little longer for kale.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: Freezing is not ideal because cream and cheese can change texture. Freeze only if needed and thaw fully before reheating.
Conclusion
For another simple version of this slow cooker pasta, see the detailed CrockPot Chicken Tortellini recipe at Mighty Spatula. If you want extra slow cooker tips and a similar method, check the guide at The Lazy Slow Cooker. For a white-sauce twist like chicken Alfredo with tortellini, this recipe page is a good reference: The Gunny Sack.
CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 can Olive oil spray For greasing the slow cooker
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast About 4 medium breasts
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion granules
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb cheese tortellini
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 0.33 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Preparation
- Spray the slow cooker with olive oil.
- Put the chicken breasts in one layer in the cooker.
- Pour marinara sauce over the chicken and sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes.
- Add chicken broth.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours, until chicken is cooked through.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the sauce.
- Stir in cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella, and heavy cream.
- Cook on LOW for another 30 minutes, until tortellini is tender.
- Add baby spinach and cook for 10 more minutes so it wilts.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, taste, and add salt or pepper if needed.
