Description
This CrockPot Chicken Tortellini is a comforting, easy-to-make meal featuring tender slow-cooked chicken breast simmered in a flavorful marinara sauce, combined with cheesy tortellini and fresh spinach for a hearty and delicious dinner.
Ingredients
- 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
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
1. Spray the slow cooker with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
2. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer inside the slow cooker.
3. Pour marinara sauce over the chicken breasts and sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes evenly on top.
4. Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW. Cook the chicken for about 4 hours until tender.
5. Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix it well with the sauce.
6. Stir in the cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella, and heavy cream until well combined.
7. Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes until the tortellini is fully cooked.
8. Stir in the baby spinach and cook for an additional 10 minutes until wilted.
9. Add grated Parmesan cheese, taste the dish, and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Notes
Spray the slow cooker generously with olive oil spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red chili flakes to ½ teaspoon.
Use fresh spinach instead of frozen for best texture and flavor.
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative for a lighter or lactose-free option.
For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with mushrooms or a plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Make sure to use cheese-filled tortellini as it complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving