Description
Comforting and creamy Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken combines tender chicken breasts, cheese-filled tortellini, and a luscious sauce slow-cooked to perfection. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and makes delicious leftovers, offering a warm, family-friendly meal with gooey cheese and savory herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into pieces
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
Sauce and Flavorings
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Toppings
- 2 cups fresh spinach or baby kale
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and place them at the bottom of your crockpot to form an even layer for slow cooking.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, chicken broth, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully blended.
- Pour Sauce and Add Tortellini: Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken inside the crockpot, then carefully arrange the cheese tortellini on top without stirring to avoid sticking.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tortellini is tender but not mushy.
- Add Greens and Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in fresh spinach or baby kale and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Cover again and let the greens wilt and cheese melt.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give everything a gentle stir before serving. Plate your creamy Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- Fresh or frozen tortellini both work well; frozen holds shape better during cooking.
- Avoid overcooking to prevent tortellini from becoming mushy.
- Keep tortellini layered on top to stop it from sticking to the crockpot bottom.
- Use low-fat cream cheese for a creamy but less greasy sauce.
- If sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with water and stir in, cooking uncovered for a few minutes to thicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours (low) or 1.5 to 2 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg