Crockpot Chicken Tortellini: An Easy Comfort Food Recipe
Looking for a simple dinner recipe that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor? This crockpot chicken tortellini is your answer. This one-pot meal combines tender chicken, cheese-filled pasta, and a creamy sauce that will have your family asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Recipe
This slow cooker chicken tortellini recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Simply add your ingredients to the crockpot in the morning, and come home to a delicious dinner that’s ready to serve.
The best part? This recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator. No fancy cooking skills required, making it ideal for beginner cooks and experienced home chefs alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 package (20 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Seasonings and Spices
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Chicken
Start by placing your chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Season them with salt and pepper. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and absorbs all the wonderful flavors from the other ingredients.
Adding the Base Ingredients
Pour the chicken broth over the chicken. Add the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if you want a little heat. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
Cooking Time
Cover your crockpot with the lid and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily with two forks.
Shredding the Chicken
Once the cooking time is complete, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Adding the Tortellini
Now it’s time to add the star ingredient – the cheese tortellini. Stir in the pasta along with the heavy cream and fresh spinach. The spinach will wilt down quickly, adding nutrients and color to your dish.
Final Cooking Stage
Cover the crockpot again and cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes. This allows the tortellini pasta to cook through and become tender. The sauce will also thicken during this time, creating a creamy coating for the pasta and chicken.
Tips for Perfect Results
Choosing the Right Tortellini
You can use either refrigerated tortellini or frozen tortellini for this recipe. If using frozen, add an extra 10 minutes to the final cooking time. Cheese-filled tortellini works best, but you can also try spinach and cheese or meat-filled varieties.
Preventing Mushy Pasta
The key to perfectly cooked pasta is adding it during the last 30 minutes of cooking. If you add it too early, you’ll end up with mushy, overcooked tortellini that falls apart.
Adjusting the Consistency
If your sauce seems too thick, add more chicken broth or milk to thin it out. If it’s too thin, let it cook uncovered for the last 10 minutes to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
Protein Alternatives
While this recipe calls for chicken breasts, you can substitute with chicken thighs for a richer flavor. You can also use rotisserie chicken to save even more time – just add it during the last 30 minutes with the tortellini.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy chicken tortellini is a complete meal on its own, but here are some great side dishes to round out your dinner:
- Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread
- Simple green salad with vinaigrette
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans
- Caesar salad
- Steamed asparagus
Garnish each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves for an extra special touch.
Storage and Meal Prep
Refrigerating Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken tortellini soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pasta may absorb some of the liquid as it sits, so you might need to add a splash of broth when reheating.
Freezing Instructions
This dish can be frozen, but keep in mind that the texture of the pasta may change slightly. Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating Tips
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding extra broth or cream to restore the creamy consistency. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through heating.
Recipe Variations
Vegetarian Version
Skip the chicken and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a completely vegetarian meal.
Spicy Kick
Increase the red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño pepper for those who enjoy spicy food. A dash of hot sauce also works well.
Different Vegetables
Feel free to swap the spinach for kale, Swiss chard, or even frozen mixed vegetables. Sun-dried tomatoes add a nice tangy flavor too.
Cream Cheese Addition
For an extra creamy sauce, add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese along with the heavy cream. This creates an even richer, more indulgent dish.
FAQs
Can I use dried tortellini instead of fresh?
Yes, but dried tortellini takes longer to cook. Add it 45 minutes before serving instead of 30 minutes, and check for doneness before serving.
Do I need to thaw frozen chicken first?
You can cook frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot, but add an extra 1-2 hours to the cooking time. Fresh or thawed chicken gives better results.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free alternative. Skip the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free version for topping.
Why is my sauce watery?
The tortellini releases starch as it cooks, which helps thicken the sauce. If it’s still too thin, remove the lid and cook on high for 10-15 minutes to reduce the liquid.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold all the ingredients. A 6-quart crockpot works well for a doubled batch.
What size slow cooker do I need?
A 5 or 6-quart slow cooker is perfect for this recipe. A smaller 3-quart cooker might be too small for all the ingredients.
This easy crockpot recipe is sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. With minimal prep work and hands-off cooking, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home.
Crockpot Chicken Tortellini
A cozy, one-pot slow cooker meal made with tender chicken, cheese tortellini, spinach, and a creamy tomato-garlic sauce. Minimal prep and hands-off cooking make this perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 package (20 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Toppings (optional):
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker; season with salt and black pepper.
- Pour in chicken broth. Add diced tomatoes with juice, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the tortellini, heavy cream, and fresh spinach.
- Cover and cook on High for 20 to 30 minutes, until tortellini is tender and the sauce is creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan, fresh basil, and extra black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Tortellini options: Refrigerated or frozen both work. If using frozen, add about 10 extra minutes in the final cook step.
- Avoid mushy pasta: Add tortellini only in the last 20 to 30 minutes.
- Adjust consistency: If too thick, add a splash of broth or milk. If too thin, cook uncovered on High for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce.
- Protein swaps: Chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken both work; if using rotisserie, add during the last 30 minutes with the tortellini.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 413Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 837mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 40g
The nutrition information provided is an estimate calculated using an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Exact values may vary depending on ingredient brands, measurements, preparation methods, and portion sizes. For the most accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or use your own preferred nutrition calculator.
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