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Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken

Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken
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This Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken is a cozy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked low and slow in a creamy sauce with fresh cheese tortellini. Simple to prepare and full of rich flavors, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner that combines comfort and convenience effortlessly.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh or refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, trimmed of excess fat
  • 8 oz cream cheese, cut into chunks
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts or thighs and season lightly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. This simple seasoning enhances the flavor before slow cooking without overpowering the tortellini.
  2. Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot: Place the seasoned chicken at the bottom of the crockpot. Add chicken broth, minced garlic, diced onions, and the cream cheese chunks on top. The cream cheese will melt during cooking to create a luscious sauce.
  3. Cook on Low: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 4 to 5 hours. This slow cooking process tenderizes the chicken perfectly and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
  4. Add Tortellini and Cheese: About 30 minutes before cooking ends, add the cheese tortellini and shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir gently to avoid breaking the pasta and ensure tortellini cooks through without overcooking.
  5. Stir and Finish: When the tortellini is tender and the sauce is creamy, stir everything together. If using spinach or other delicate vegetables, fold them in now and allow them to wilt in the residual heat before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh or refrigerated tortellini for best texture; avoid frozen versions to prevent mushiness.
  • Add the tortellini towards the end of cooking to keep it tender but not soggy.
  • Chunky cream cheese melted slowly creates a creamier sauce than pre-mixing it.
  • Cook on low heat to keep the chicken moist and prevent the sauce from curdling.
  • Stir gently after adding tortellini to avoid breaking the pasta or chicken.
  • Leftover dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze leftovers without tortellini for up to 2 months; add fresh pasta after thawing.
  • Reheat gently adding broth or milk to restore creaminess as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, cheese tortellini, chicken, creamy sauce, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/crockpot-cheese-tortellini-with-chicken/