Creamy Crockpot Chicken Tortellini (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken and cheese tortellini in a creamy slow-cooked sauce with vegetables for an easy weeknight dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Vegetables
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lb), cut into large chunks
02 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach
03 - 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
04 - 1 cup diced celery
05 - 1 medium onion, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquids & Pantry
07 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
→ Pasta
10 - 18 oz refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
→ Seasonings
11 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
→ Optional Garnish
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Arrange chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - Pour in the chicken broth and condensed cream of chicken soup. Sprinkle in the Italian herbs, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined.
03 - Cover and cook on the low setting for 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
04 - Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
05 - Stir in the cheese tortellini, heavy cream, and baby spinach. Fold gently to combine without breaking the tortellini.
06 - Cover and cook on the high setting for 20 to 30 minutes, until the tortellini is tender and the spinach has wilted.
07 - Taste the dish and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It practically cooks itself while you go about your day, and the creamy sauce tastes like you stood over a stove for hours.
- The tortellini soaks up the broth and turns into little pillows of comfort that make everyone at the table go quiet.
02 -
- Frozen tortellini needs 5 to 10 extra minutes in the crockpot, so plan accordingly if you cannot find refrigerated.
- Resist the urge to lift the lid during the first 4 hour cook because every peek lets heat escape and extends the cooking time.
03 -
- Shred the chicken while it is still hot because it pulls apart effortlessly and stays moist, whereas cold chicken fights back and dries out.
- Use refrigerated tortellini instead of frozen if you can find it because the texture stays softer and more delicate in the finished dish.