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Home » Slow Cooker

CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

Published: Dec 13, 2024 / Updated: Dec 13, 2024 by Alice / This post may contain affiliate links./ 10 Comments

4.7K shares
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This Crockpot chicken tortellini is a cozy yet super easy meal that will please even the pickiest eaters!

American dish with pasta

We love tortellini in our home and I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate them into dinners. This Crockpot chicken tortellini recipe is super easy to make, and it couldn’t be more delicious!

It has tender, pillowy tortellini and perfectly cooked chicken breast, all in a creamy, cheesy marinara-based sauce.

It’s super easy to throw together even on a very busy day, and since it requires very little hands-on time, it leaves you free to focus on other things.

Why you’ll love Crockpot chicken tortellini

  • I absolutely love how simple it is to toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do all the work.
  • The combination of creamy tortellini and tender shredded chicken makes each bite irresistibly comforting.
  • It’s bursting with vibrant flavors and hearty ingredients, perfect for a delicious meal with minimal effort.
close up photo of a crock pot chicken tortellini

What you’ll need

Chicken — I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken breasts as they shred easily after cooking.

Marinara sauce — Use your favorite marinara sauce; it’s best to use a good quality one for a richer flavor.

Tortellini — Fresh cheese tortellini works best for a tender texture. Opt for the kind you find in the refrigerated section of the supermarket.

Spices and seasonings — I use a mix of garlic and onion powder, Italian herbs mix and paprika for extra flavor. If you don’t want the sauce to have a bit of a kick, skip the red chili flakes.

Chicken broth — Opt for a low-sodium chicken broth if possible and adjust the salt at the end.

Mozarella — Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully in this chicken tortellini dish.

crock pot chicken tortellini with parmesan

Heavy cream — For that rich and smooth consistency!

Baby spinach — Fresh baby spinach adds a pop of color and a bit of a nutritional boost.

Parmesan — The perfect cheesy finish; freshly grated is always best.

Pro tip

The sauce may look a bit thin at the end of cooking but the tortellini will continue to soak it up as the dish sits.

How to make chicken tortellini in a Crockpot

This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

Spray your slow cooker with olive oil or a non-stick spray, then arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on the bottom.

Pour in the marinara sauce, and then add the garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes. Next, pour the chicken broth, making sure the chicken is completely submerged.

crock pot chicken tortellini cooking steps
crock pot chicken tortellini making instructions

Cook the mixture on LOW for four hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.

Add the tortellini, shredded cheese, and cream, ensuring the tortellini are covered by liquid.

crock pot chicken tortellini step by step instructions
adding cream to an American dish

Cook on LOW for 30 minutes until tender, then stir in the spinach and grated Parmesan.

adding spinach to an American dish
adding parmesan to an American dish

Substitutions and variations

  • You can use boneless chicken thighs, too, but the cooking times may vary. Always test with a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
  • If you don’t have any tortellini, use some simple pasta instead; penne, fussili or rigatoni all work well.
  • Throw in some diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce if you want your chicken tortellini to have a bit of a kick.

Helpful tips

  • Depending on your slow cooker, cooking times might differ a bit. I always keep an eye on the chicken and use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 165°F for perfect tenderness.
  • It’s super important to have the chicken fully submerged in the liquid. This keeps the meat nice and moist, making every bite tender and juicy.
  • When it’s time to add the tortellini and the final ingredients, stir everything gently. This prevents the pasta from sticking together.

What to serve with Crockpot chicken tortellini

  • There's nothing like some warm, crispy garlic bread to soak up that creamy sauce!
  • You can also serve this pasta dish with a fresh salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette.
  • Or, if you’d like something more nutritious, serve it with some lightly steamed veggies like broccoli or asparagus.

Leftovers and storage

  • Any leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to maintain the creamy texture.
  • I don’t recommend freezing this dish because the texture of the tortellini will be mushy when thawed.

More cozy dinner recipes

  • Pizzaiolo Pasta (Pizza Pasta Bake)
  • Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
  • Turkey Mac and Cheese
  • Pizza Soup Recipe
  • BBQ Chicken Soup

If you’ve tried this Crockpot chicken tortellini recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I’d love to hear how it turned out.

And if you’re looking for more delicious inspiration, follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

American dish with parmesan on top

CrockPot Chicken Tortellini

This Crockpot chicken tortellini is a cozy yet super easy meal that will please even the pickiest eaters! 
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 4 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 539kcal
Author: Alice | Mighty Spatula

Ingredients 
 

  • Olive oil spray
  • 1 ½ lb chicken breast about 4 medium breasts
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion granules
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 lb cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

  • Spray your slow cooker with olive oil (or a non-stick cooking spray).
    Olive oil spray
  • Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on the bottom.
    1 ½ lb chicken breast
  • Next, add the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning mix, paprika, red chili flakes and chicken broth. Make sure the chicken is completely submerged in liquid.
    2 cups marinara sauce
    1 teaspoon garlic powder
    1 teaspoon onion granules
    1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
    ½ teaspoon paprika
    ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
    1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • Cook on LOW for 4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with the help of two forks.
  • Return the chicken to the slow cooker, then add the tortellini, shredded cheese and cream. Stir well to combine and make sure the tortellini are completely covered by liquid.
    1 lb cheese tortellini
    1 cup mozzarella cheese
    ½ cup heavy cream
  • Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 30 minutes until the tortellini are tender.
  • Stir in the spinach and continue to cook for another 10 minutes.
    2 cups baby spinach
  • Next, stir in the grated Parmesan, adjust the seasoning to taste and serve immediately.
    ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1286mg | Potassium: 786mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1900IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 317mg | Iron: 4mg
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4.7K shares

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aleiks says

    January 15, 2025 at 7:46 am

    5 stars
    absolutely delicious ! a new dinner for weekly rotation for sure

    Reply
    • Alice says

      January 20, 2025 at 10:10 am

      I'm so glad to hear that, Aleiks!

      Reply
  2. Fran says

    January 31, 2025 at 8:00 am

    Can I substitute the chicken breast with already shredded cooked chicken ?

    Reply
    • Alice says

      February 01, 2025 at 10:46 am

      Sure, that would work!

      Reply
  3. Ashley says

    March 03, 2025 at 2:39 am

    Could we use cheese ravioli?

    Reply
    • Alice says

      March 12, 2025 at 7:49 pm

      Absolutely, it should work just fine!

      Reply
  4. DAVID SAVAGE says

    April 14, 2025 at 12:42 am

    5 stars
    Wonderful dinner. My bag of 5 cheese tortellini was 22 oz and I used 3 cups of spinach. All other ingredients as per the recipe. Both my wife and I loved this dish.

    Reply
  5. Christi says

    April 21, 2025 at 4:22 pm

    Would frozen Tortillini work? I have like 3 bags I need to use up and I’m looking for recipes.

    Reply
    • Alice says

      April 23, 2025 at 7:52 pm

      They should work but I'd add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    June 12, 2025 at 11:18 am

    5 stars

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Alice! I cook family-friendly comfort food that you'll want to make on repeat!

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