When it comes to weeknight dinners, convenience and flavor are two essential elements that every home cook desires. Enter the CrockPot Chicken Tortellini—a dish that beautifully combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and delightful cheese-stuffed pasta for a meal that feels both comforting and indulgent. Using a slow cooker transforms the ingredients into a rich, flavorful symphony that’s ready to serve when you are. Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting a gathering, this dish is sure to impress with minimal effort.
Why We Love This CrockPot Chicken Tortellini Recipe
There’s a lot to love about CrockPot Chicken Tortellini. For starters, it’s incredibly easy to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a memorable meal that requires little more than your attention to a few simple steps. The best thing is that after a few hours in the slow cooker, you can come home to a house filled with the mouthwatering aroma of your favorite Italian flavors.
Not only is this recipe family-friendly, but it also has that cozy, homestyle feel that makes for the best kind of dinners. It’s versatile, offering a creamy texture and enticing flavor that can be enjoyed year-round. With the addition of baby spinach, you also sneak in a wholesome dose of greens, enhancing the nutritional profile without compromising on taste. And let’s not forget how comforting a bowl of hot pasta can be after a long day!
Ingredients for CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Creating this dish is straightforward since it uses simple ingredients commonly found at your local grocery store. Here’s what you need:
- 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
This combination of ingredients creates a hearty, savory dish that is perfect for any occasion.
How to Make CrockPot Chicken Tortellini Directions
Let’s dive into how you can transform those ingredients into a delicious dinner:
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Start by spraying the inside of your slow cooker with olive oil. This helps prevent the chicken from sticking and keeps it nice and juicy.
- Layer the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer, ensuring they are well-spaced and can absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Add the Marinara: Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is generously covered.
- Season It Up: Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes over the top. This is where the dish starts to come alive with flavor!
- Pour in the Chicken Broth: Add the chicken broth to the slow cooker, allowing it to seep into the chicken and marinara.
- Cover and Cook: Place the lid on the slow cooker and let it cook on LOW for about 4 hours. This low and slow method ensures the chicken becomes tender and infused with flavors.
- Shred the Chicken: After 4 hours, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. You want it to be pulled apart easily, creating nice, bite-sized pieces.
- Mix It All Together: Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker and give it all a good stir, ensuring the chicken is well-coated.
- Add the Tortellini: Stir in the cheese tortellini, making sure they are submerged in the sauce.
- Incorporate the Cream: Add the heavy cream and half of the mozzarella cheese to the mix, stirring again until everything is well-combined.
- Cook a Bit More: Cover and cook on LOW for an additional 30 minutes. This will let the tortellini cook to perfection.
- Toss in the Spinach: Finally, stir in the baby spinach and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and vibrant.
- Garnish and Adjust: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, taste the dish, and adjust any seasoning as necessary.
At this point, the CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is ready to serve, making your home smell absolutely divine.
How to Serve CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Serving this dish is just as delightful as preparing it. Here are a few tips:
- Garnish Generously: You can enhance the presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped herbs, like basil or parsley, on top of each serving.
- Pair with Bread: Serve the CrockPot Chicken Tortellini alongside crusty garlic bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal.
- Adjust Portion Size: Since this dish is creamy and hearty, you may want to serve it in smaller portions, garnishing each bowl for that restaurant-style effect.
- Enjoy it Hot: This dish is best enjoyed hot, straight from the slow cooker, allowing you to savor every bite of creamy goodness.
Expert Tips for CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Making the perfect CrockPot Chicken Tortellini can be easy if you follow these expert tips:
- Use Quality Ingredients: Quality marinara sauce and fresh chicken make a difference in flavor. Don’t skip on these essentials for the best outcome.
- Adjust Seasoning to Your Taste: Feel free to amp up the spices if you prefer a bit more heat or zest in your dish. Always taste as you go!
- Add More Veggies: If you’re looking to add even more nutrition, consider throwing in bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for a delightful medley.
- Don’t Rush the Cooking Time: Cooking on LOW for the recommended time ensures the chicken is tender and the flavors have fully developed. Avoid cranking up the heat, as this can lead to dry chicken.
- Let It Rest: If you can, after finishing cooking, let the dish sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together even better.
How to Store CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Storing your leftover CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is simple and keeps it tasting great for days:
- Refrigeration: Let the dish cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It can last in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, consider freezing individual portions in freezer-safe containers. It can keep well for up to 2-3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat gently on the stove over low heat, or in the microwave, ensuring you don’t overcook the tortellini again.
Variation of CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
There are plenty of ways to customize this dish based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some variations to consider:
- Protein Alternatives: Swap chicken for turkey or even cooked sausage for a different flavor profile. Each protein gives a unique twist to the dish.
- Different Sauces: While marinara is a classic choice, consider experimenting with Alfredo sauce for a creamier dish or a pesto sauce for a fresh herb flavor.
- Vegetarian Version: For a meatless option, replace chicken with roasted vegetables or chickpeas, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Switch Up the Cheese: If mozzarella isn’t your favorite, try using provolone or a blend of Italian cheeses for a tasty variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CrockPot Chicken Tortellini?
CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is a comforting slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken, cheese tortellini, marinara sauce, and creamy goodness, all made in a CrockPot for convenience.
How long does it take to prepare?
The prep time is quite short, about 15 minutes, and the cooking time is approximately 4 hours on LOW, plus an additional 40 minutes for the tortellini and spinach.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare it a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator or freeze it for future meals.
Is this dish healthy?
Yes, it features lean protein, veggies, and is customizable to fit dietary needs. Adjust the heavy cream or choose low-fat cheese for a lighter option.
What can I serve with CrockPot Chicken Tortellini?
Pair it with garlic bread, side salads, or steamed veggies to create a well-rounded meal.
CrockPot Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast (about 4 medium breasts)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning mix
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp 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 inside of your slow cooker with olive oil.
- Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the slow cooker.
- Pour marinara sauce over the chicken, ensuring coverage.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes over the top.
- Add chicken broth to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours.
- Remove chicken, shred it using two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Stir in cheese tortellini, heavy cream, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Cover and cook on LOW for an additional 30 minutes.
- Add baby spinach, cover, and cook for a final 10 minutes until wilted.
- Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, adjust seasoning, and serve.
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