Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pound fresh cheese tortellini (not dried)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce or alfredo sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Place seasoned chicken in bottom of crockpot in single layer.
- Pour marinara sauce and chicken broth over chicken. Add minced garlic and remaining seasonings.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until chicken shreds easily with fork.
- Remove chicken from crockpot and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker.
- Add fresh tortellini, heavy cream, and mozzarella cheese to crockpot. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for additional 15-30 minutes until tortellini is tender.
- If using spinach, stir in during last 5 minutes of cooking until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen tortellini, never dried – it will become mushy
- Don’t add tortellini until final cooking phase to prevent overcooking
- Sauce may look thin but tortellini will absorb liquid as it sits
- Can substitute chicken thighs for more flavor and moisture
- Add vegetables like peas, bell peppers, or mushrooms with tortellini
- Leftovers keep 3-4 days refrigerated – add splash of broth when reheating
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95mg