Tender Chicken Tortellini Crockpot Meal Easy Slow Cooker Recipe for Busy Nights
A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken and cheesy tortellini simmered in a creamy, herb-infused sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal is hearty yet light and requires minimal hands-on time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- 3 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning chicken)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Optionally, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle minced garlic and Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth, then season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours (or on high for 2.5 hours) until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks on a plate. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- Stir in the tortellini and heavy cream gently. Cover and cook on high for another 20-25 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender but not mushy.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add chopped fresh parsley for garnish.
Notes
Add tortellini in the last 20-30 minutes of cooking to prevent mushiness. Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds extra flavor but is optional. Use fresh or refrigerated tortellini for best texture. Adjust salt and pepper after adding tortellini. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and Parmesan with coconut milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups (350
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken tortellini crockpot, slow cooker chicken recipe, easy crockpot meals, creamy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, comfort food, cheesy tortellini, slow cooker recipes