Slow Cooker Chicken And Tortellini is a delicious and super easy recipe. This family-friendly dish is simple to assemble and will be approved by even your pickiest eaters!
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What could be better than a super easy slow cooker recipe filled with tender chicken and cheesy tortellini? Nothing!
📝Shopping list
To make this family favorite, you will need these simple ingredients from the grocery store:
- fresh chicken breast
- chicken broth*
- marinara sauce*
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- cheese tortellini - refrigerated or frozen
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- shredded parmesan cheese - for topping
This delicious recipe will quickly become a favorite of the whole family. Including you - because it is so simple to toss together!
This is basically the perfect meal. There is nothing better to come home to at the end of a busy day! It is one of those slow cooker meals the entire family can get behind - including those picky eaters!
🔪Instructions
Start by adding non-stick oil or spray to your slow cooker. Place raw chicken breast into slow cooker and top with sauce, broth, and spices.
Cover and cook on low heat until chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165℉. This usually takes 3-4 hours of cooking time in my slow cooker.
Remove chicken breast and shred. Add tortellini, shredded chicken, and mozzarella cheese back in to slow cooker. Try to make sure as much of the tortellini as possible is covered by liquid. Cover and cook on low for an additional half or so, until tortellini is soft and ready to serve.
Top with shredded parmesan cheese just prior to serving.
🍽Serving suggestions
- This amazing, savory meal is practically a full dinner all on its own. My favorite way to serve it is with a side salad and some crusty bread.
- Whole cauliflower, parmesan garlic mushrooms and maple vanilla carrots also make perfect sides.
- This is meant to be a mild dish. Using your favorite red sauce will give it the flavor you like best. Adding a ton of parmesan cheese is my favorite way to customize it.
- If you are a fan of heat, try topping with some red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
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🔁Substitution ideas
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used in place of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- veggie broth can be used in place of chicken broth if that is what you have on hand
- your favorite red sauce can be substituted for marinara. Tomato basil pasta sauce is a great option in this recipe.
If you love this recipe...
Please let me know in the comment section below!
Storing
Store leftovers of this easy dinner in an airtight container or zipper top bag. It will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Leftover chicken can also be frozen in a food storage container for 3-4 months.
Note
The tortellini in this dish may get a little soft and/or break apart some when reheating, particularly if frozen.
😉Hints & hacks
- Be sure to use fresh or frozen pasta when making this dish. Dried pasta will absorb extra liquid and may become mushy.
- Three fresh garlic cloves, minced or pressed, can be used in place of the garlic powder. Alternatively so can 1 heaping tablespoon of jarred minced garlic.
- If you want to add a more Italian flavor, add some Italian seasoning or oregano at the start of cooking time.
- In the market for a new crockpot? I love mine!
- Easy dinner idea: use a slow-cooker liner when making this dish. You will have almost zero clean-up to deal with.
- Don't forget to turn on and PLUG IN your slow cooker!!
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini
Equipment
- Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 medium chicken breasts
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups marinara sauce or one 15.5 oz jar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 20 oz cheese tortellini (fresh, refrigerated) can use frozen as well
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- coat slow cooker with a non-stick spray or oil
- Place chicken breasts into bottom of slow cooker4 medium chicken breasts
- add all ingredients other than cheeses and pasta2 cups chicken broth, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- cook on low for 3-4 hours until chicken breast is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165℉
- remove chicken from slow cooker. Shred chicken and stir back into sauce in slow cooker
- add tortellini and mozzarella to slow cooker and stir to combine. Try to submerge tortellini as much as possible in slow cooker liquid.
- cover and cook on low until tortellini is fully cooked (15 - 30 minutes or so)
- Top with shredded parmesan and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Robert G says
so amazingly delicious!
Elyce says
In my slow cooker right now... can leftovers be frozen?
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
I always love hearing that!! Leftovers can be frozen. Be sure to let them defrost in the fridge before reheating. Otherwise, the pasta will start to break apart.
Johanna says
This was just mediocre… edible, but just ok. Followed the recipe as is and it was kinda bland, not very flavourful, despite using a popular marinara sauce. Ended up adding some hot sauce just to give it a little zip.
The Lazy Slow Cooker says
Hi Johanna, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. It is not meant to be a spicy or tangy dish as it is one of my "picky eater friendly dishes". The write up recommends adding red pepper flakes to spice it up a bit. I will be sure to bold that section to make sure it is easy to find.