I am telling you right now that this recipe is a total life saver. Life gets so messy especially on those random Tuesday nights when the kids have practice and the house is a disaster. I remember one Tuesday where I forgot about a meeting and almost cried because I had zero plan for dinner. Then I remembered I had everything for this Crockpot Chicken Tortellini ready to go. There is nothing like walking through the door and smelling that savory garlic and cream. The chicken gets so tender it just falls apart and the sauce is like a warm hug in a bowl. It is the kind of comfort food that makes you forget about your long day the second you take a bite.

Why You Will Love This Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

The best part about this meal is the set it and forget it nature of the whole thing. You literally throw the main stuff in the pot and go about your life. It is perfect for those of us who have a million things going on but still want a home cooked meal. Plus it is a massive hit with everyone. Kids love it because it is cheesy and full of pasta and adults love it because the flavor is actually sophisticated and rich. You really cannot go wrong when you combine tender chicken with pillows of cheese tortellini in a creamy sauce.

Essential Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

You do not need anything too fancy for this but a few good items make a huge difference. Here is what you need to grab from the store.

Two pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts
Four cups of chicken broth
One cup of heavy cream
One block of cream cheese softened
Two cloves of minced garlic
One teaspoon of dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Six ounces of fresh baby spinach
One package of refrigerated cheese tortellini
One cup of high quality shredded parmesan cheese

I really recommend getting the good parmesan from the deli section rather than the stuff in the green shaker bottle. It melts so much better and gives you that deep salty flavor that makes the sauce pop.

How to Make the Best Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Making this is honestly so simple that you might feel like you are cheating. The main goal is to layer your flavors so the chicken stays juicy while the sauce gets thick and delicious. You are mostly just letting the slow cooker do the heavy lifting for you while you do literally anything else.

Prep the Chicken and Base Sauce

Start by placing your chicken breasts right at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle your salt pepper garlic and oregano over the meat so it is well seasoned. Next you want to pour your chicken broth over the top and drop in chunks of the cream cheese. If you are running low on time you can cook this on high for about three to four hours. If you have the whole day just set it on low for six to seven hours. The chicken should be easy to shred with two forks when it is finished.

Adding the Tortellini at the Right Time

This is the most important part so listen closely. Do not put the pasta in at the beginning. If you do that you will end up with a mushy mess that looks like gray paste. You only want to add the refrigerated tortellini and the heavy cream in the last fifteen to thirty minutes of cooking. This gives the pasta just enough time to get tender while keeping its shape. This is also when you stir in your spinach and parmesan cheese so everything gets melty and bright.

Expert Tips for Perfect Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

If you have an extra five minutes in the morning I highly suggest browning the chicken in a skillet before putting it in the crockpot. It adds a deeper golden flavor that is just incredible. Another huge tip is to use a slow cooker liner. Cleanup is a total nightmare with cheesy sauces so a liner makes it so you can just toss the mess away when you are done. If you find the sauce is a bit too thin for your liking just whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it in at the very end to thicken things up.

Nutritional Information for Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

These numbers are just estimates based on standard ingredients but they should give you a good idea of what is in each serving.

Calories: 480
Protein: 32 grams
Carbohydrates: 38 grams
Fats: 22 grams

Keep in mind that using low fat cream cheese or extra veggies can change these numbers a bit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated? Yes you totally can but you might need to add an extra ten minutes to the cook time at the end. Just keep an eye on it so it does not get too soft.

How do I store the leftovers? You can keep any extra in an airtight container in the fridge for about three days. It actually tastes even better the next day because the flavors have more time to hang out together.

What is the best way to reheat this? I recommend heating it up on the stove over low heat. If the sauce looks too thick just add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it back up. Avoid the microwave if you can because it can make the cream sauce separate and get oily.