Description

This CrockPot Chicken Tortellini recipe is a comforting and creamy one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with Italian seasoning, garlic, and marinara sauce, then combined with cheese tortellini, fresh spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan for a rich, hearty dish finished with fresh basil garnish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Sauces

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream

Pasta and Vegetables

1 (16 oz) package cheese tortellini
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

Cheese and Garnish

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the CrockPot to create the base of the dish.
Season: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken for flavor infusion.
Add Aromatics and Sauces: Add the minced garlic, marinara sauce, and chicken broth to the CrockPot to combine ingredients and provide moisture.
Slow Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours until the chicken is tender and thoroughly cooked, allowing flavors to meld.
Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the CrockPot, shred it with two forks, then return shredded chicken to the pot for easy blending with other ingredients.
Add Pasta and Spinach: Place the cheese tortellini and chopped spinach on top of the shredded chicken to prepare for second cooking.
Mix Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese into the CrockPot to create a creamy sauce.
Final Cook: Cover and cook on high for an additional 30-45 minutes until the tortellini is tender and the sauce is thickened.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped basil before serving to add freshness and aroma.

Notes

Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before shredding to avoid undercooked meat.
Use fresh spinach for best flavor and texture; frozen spinach may add extra moisture.
Adjust the salt according to your taste, especially since Parmesan cheese adds saltiness.
If tortellini is not tender after 45 minutes, continue cooking in 10-minute increments.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.