Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken
A creamy and comforting Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken recipe perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with garlic, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning are combined with cheesy tortellini, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese to create a rich, velvety sauce. This hands-off recipe is easy to prepare, family-friendly, and fully customizable to suit your dietary preferences.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high), plus 20-30 minutes for tortellini
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 40 minutes (depending on slow cooker setting)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free tortellini)
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
- 2 large chicken breasts (thick-cut preferred)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh spinach or fresh basil leaves
- Prepare the Chicken and Base: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Add minced garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken to create a flavorful base.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, allowing the flavors to meld and the broth to become rich and savory.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot to absorb more flavor.
- Add Tortellini and Dairy: Stir in the cheese tortellini, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese, transforming the broth into a creamy sauce that coats the tortellini and chicken.
- Cook Tortellini Until Tender: Cook on low for an additional 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, until the tortellini is tender but not overcooked.
- Add Fresh Greens and Serve: If using spinach or fresh basil, stir it in at the end and let it wilt for a few minutes before serving to add freshness and vibrant color.
Notes
- Use fresh tortellini for a more delicate texture; frozen works well if fresh is unavailable.
- Do not add tortellini too early to prevent mushiness; add near the end of cooking.
- Choose thick-cut chicken breasts for juicier and easier shredding results.
- Stir gently when mixing in tortellini to avoid breaking pasta or shredding chicken too much.
- Enhance flavor by adding fresh basil or parsley right before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: thirty-six g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, cheese tortellini, chicken, creamy sauce, easy dinner, family-friendly, comfort food