Slow Cooker Lunch Meals With Creamy Chicken Tortellini and Spinach

Crockpot Chicken Tortellini is a slow cooker dinner with tender shredded chicken, creamy broth, spinach, tomatoes, and soft cheese tortellini. The hands-off cooking time makes it worth making when you want a warm meal without standing over the stove. As it cooks, the chicken and Italian seasoning fill the kitchen with a savory smell, and the finished soup-like sauce is creamy with tender bites of pasta. Make it on a busy day, then add the tortellini near the end so it stays soft without cooking too long.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

• Hands-off cooking: The chicken cooks in the CrockPot while you take care of other things.
• Tender chicken: Slow cooking makes the chicken easy to shred before it goes back into the sauce.
• Creamy finish: Heavy cream adds a smooth texture to the broth, tomatoes, spinach, and tortellini.
• Simple ingredients: You only need chicken, broth, vegetables, tortellini, cream, and a few seasonings.
• One-pot cleanup: The whole meal comes together in the slow cooker, so there are fewer dishes to wash.

How To Make Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then place it in the CrockPot with chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Let it cook until the chicken is tender enough to shred. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, then stir in the spinach and heavy cream. Add the cheese tortellini last and cook on high until the pasta is tender. Serve the Crockpot Chicken Tortellini warm.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 package (9 oz) cheese tortellini
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place the chicken breast in the CrockPot.
2. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Add the chicken broth and diced tomatoes.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
5. Shred the chicken and return it to the CrockPot.
6. Stir in the spinach and heavy cream.
7. Add the tortellini.
8. Cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender.
9. Serve warm.

How To Serve Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Serve Crockpot Chicken Tortellini in wide bowls so each serving gets chicken, tortellini, spinach, and plenty of creamy broth. A simple green salad makes a fresh side, while crusty bread can help soak up the sauce. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables for a fuller meal. For a casual dinner, pair it with iced tea, sparkling water, or another drink you enjoy. This dish works well for a weeknight meal because the slow cooker does most of the cooking.

How To Store Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Let leftovers cool, then place them in a covered container in the refrigerator. Eat refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days. The tortellini may absorb some of the creamy broth as it sits, so the texture can become thicker.

To reheat, warm a serving gently in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally and heat until warmed through. Add a small amount of broth if the mixture seems too thick. Freezing is not recommended for the best texture because the cream and tortellini may change after thawing.

Tips For Making Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

• Season the chicken first: Add the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning directly to the chicken before adding the liquid.
• Keep the tortellini for last: Add it only after shredding the chicken and stirring in the spinach and heavy cream.
• Watch the final cooking time: Cook the tortellini on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until tender.
• Shred while warm: The cooked chicken is easier to pull apart before returning it to the CrockPot.
• Stir after adding cream: Mix the heavy cream into the broth so it spreads through the dish.
• Serve right away: The tortellini can continue to soften as it sits in the hot liquid.

Variations

• Ingredient swap: Use a different filled tortellini in place of the cheese tortellini if you prefer. Keep the package amount at 9 oz.
• Add-in option: Add extra spinach if you want more greens, or stir in another vegetable that cooks well in a creamy broth.
• Different cooking method: For a stovetop version, cook the chicken with the broth, tomatoes, and seasonings in a covered pot until tender, then shred it and finish with the spinach, cream, and tortellini.

FAQs

Can I Make Crockpot Chicken Tortellini With Frozen Chicken?

The provided directions call for 1 pound chicken breast but do not specify using frozen chicken. For safe and even cooking, use chicken that is fully thawed unless your slow cooker manual gives different instructions.

Can I Use Half-And-Half Instead Of Heavy Cream?

Heavy cream is the ingredient listed for this recipe and gives the sauce its creamy texture. Half-and-half can be used as an option, but the finished dish may be less rich and thinner.

Can I Make This Dish Ahead Of Time?

You can cook the chicken mixture ahead and refrigerate it in a covered container. Add and cook the tortellini closer to serving time when possible, since it can soften as it sits in the liquid.

How Do I Know When Crockpot Chicken Tortellini Is Done?

The chicken should be tender enough to shred after cooking on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. After you add the tortellini, cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender.

Can I Double The Recipe?

The recipe can be increased, but do not fill your slow cooker past the limit stated in its manual. A larger amount may also need additional cooking time, so check that the chicken is tender and the tortellini is cooked before serving.

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