Joyful Crockpot Chicken Tortellini: 1 Dreamy Meal

Oh, you know those crazy weeknights when you’re running on fumes and all you want is something warm, comforting, and ridiculously easy? Yeah, me too! Before I really found my groove in the kitchen, just the *thought* of making dinner felt like climbing a mountain. But then I discovered my slow cooker, and honestly, it was a game-changer!

This crockpot chicken tortellini recipe is exactly what saves my sanity on those nights. It’s seriously a dump-and-go dream, all creamy marinara, tender chicken, and cheesy tortellini that practically cooks itself. It’s the kind of meal that just feels like a hug in a bowl, and it’s so flavorful and satisfying, the whole family devours it every time. It really embodies my whole philosophy here on Pure Cooking Joy: amazing food doesn’t need to be complicated, and cooking should bring you joy, not stress! You can even connect and follow along with our cooking adventures on Facebook!

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If you’re struggling to find your own kitchen confidence, check out my story – it might just inspire you to see that cooking can be a source of peace and pure joy, just like it became for me.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Seriously, this crockpot chicken tortellini recipe is a total weeknight game-changer. It’s so ridiculously easy, you practically just dump everything in and walk away. Plus, the creamy marinara with tender chicken and cheesy tortellini is just pure comfort food bliss that the whole family absolutely adores. It’s the perfect easy slow cooker dinner when you need something heartwarming and delicious with zero fuss!

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Ingredients for Easy Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this magical crockpot chicken tortellini happen. The beauty of this recipe is how simple the ingredients are, and most of them are probably already in your pantry or can be grabbed in one quick grocery run. Trust me, these are the stars of the show!

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (go for good quality ones!)
• 1 (24 ounce) jar of your favorite marinara sauce – pick one you really love the taste of!
• 1 (15 ounce) can of diced tomatoes, don’t drain ’em, the juice adds so much flavor
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – this stuff is amazing for packing in flavor
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (because what’s pasta without garlic?)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (19 ounce) can refrigerated biscuit dough, just cut it into pieces before adding
• 1 cup heavy cream – this is what makes it so wonderfully creamy!
• 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese – you can shred your own or buy it pre-shredded, whatever makes life easier!
• 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini – fresh is best here!

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How to Prepare the Best Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Alright, let’s get this incredibly easy crockpot chicken tortellini made! This is where the magic truly happens, and I promise, it’s so simple. It’s that perfect dump and go crockpot recipe that takes all the stress out of dinner. My philosophy is always about making things approachable and flavorful, and this recipe totally nails it. It’s a fantastic example of the kind of effortless meals that make weeknights so much easier, and it’s definitely one of our go-to comfort food favorites here.

Step 1: Load Your Slow Cooker

First things first, grab your slow cooker. You’re just going to place the chicken breasts right in the bottom. Don’t overthink it, they’re going to cook down beautifully.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Now, pour that jar of marinara sauce, the undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper right over the top of the chicken. Give it a little swirl to make sure everything is coated. Then, cover it up and let it do its thing on low for about 4 to 6 hours, or if you’re in a rush, you can do high for 2 to 3 hours. Just make sure that chicken is cooked all the way through.

Step 3: Shred and Combine

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully lift it out of the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. I usually put it on a plate or cutting board to do this. Then, return that lovely shredded chicken back into the slow cooker. Now, carefully stir in the biscuit dough pieces, the heavy cream, and all that yummy shredded Parmesan cheese. This is where it starts to get wonderfully creamy and rich!

Step 4: Add Tortellini and Finish Cooking

Gently stir in the biscuit dough pieces and the tortellini. Make sure they’re all nestled into the sauce. Cover it back up and let it cook on low for another 30 to 45 minutes. You want the tortellini to be nice and tender, and the sauce nice and hot. It’s that simple!

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Serving Your Creamy Chicken Pasta

And there you have it! Serve this delicious creamy chicken pasta hot, maybe with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan on top if you’re feeling fancy.

Tips for the Perfect Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Okay, so you’ve got this amazing crockpot chicken tortellini recipe, but how do you make sure it’s absolutely perfect every single time? It’s all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up. First, don’t skimp on quality for your marinara; it’s the flavor base, so use one you genuinely love! Also, when you’re shredding the chicken, make sure it’s cooked through – it makes shredding so much easier and keeps the texture spot-on. Lastly, don’t overcook the tortellini; they finish cooking in the hot sauce, so a little al dente right out of the package is perfect. This way, you get that incredible, creamy texture without any mushy pasta! It’s truly a fantastic easy slow cooker dinner!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

When making this creamy chicken tortellini, a few little tweaks can really make it shine, or help you out if you’re missing something. For the chicken broth, if you don’t have any on hand, you can totally use water with a bouillon cube, or even just extra marinara sauce thinned out a bit with water. And if you’re not a huge fan of heavy cream, you can try using half-and-half milk, though it might not be quite as rich. For the Parmesan cheese, feel free to use a blend like a Mexican blend or even just mozzarella if that’s what you’ve got!

Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Okay, so if you’re like me and love having dinner practically ready to go, this crockpot chicken tortellini is a total lifesaver. It’s honestly so perfect for meal prep friendly planning. You can totally prep this ahead of time! Just follow the recipe through step 3 – so, chicken shredded, into the sauce with the tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Then, let it cool completely. Once it’s cool, you can portion it out into freezer bags or airtight containers. You’ll want to keep the tortellini and the heavy cream separate for this. Freeze these components for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, just thaw the chicken/sauce mixture, add the frozen tortellini and the heavy cream (you might need a splash more broth or water too!), and cook according to the recipe, usually about 30-45 minutes on low until the tortellini is done. It makes grabbing dinner so easy later on! Sometimes, for super busy spells, I even check out meal planning services to help organize our meals for the week. You can find more tips and recipes on my blog!

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Tortellini

Got questions about this amazing slow cooker tortellini? I totally get it! Sometimes recipes have little quirks, and it’s good to know how to handle them. Here are a few things people often ask me, and I’m happy to share!

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this crockpot chicken tortellini?

Oh, absolutely! If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken or some cooked chicken breasts, you can totally use them. Just add them in during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, along with the tortellini, so they can heat through. Make sure it’s around 1.5 lbs of chicken, though!

What if I don’t have tortellini? Can I use another pasta?

You sure can! While tortellini is the star here, if you don’t have it, any other pasta shape will work. Think penne, rotini, or even shells. Just add them in during that last 30-45 minutes of cooking, and keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get too mushy. It’s still a fantastic family pasta recipe either way!

How do I make this crockpot chicken tortellini thicker?

If your sauce seems a little thinner than you like, no worries! You can uncover the slow cooker for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to let it simmer and reduce, or you can make a quick cornstarch slurry (about 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water) and stir it in. Let it bubble for a few minutes until it thickens up. It’s great for those cozy fall meals!

Serving Suggestions for Your Creamy Marinara Tortellini

This amazing crockpot chicken tortellini is fantastic all on its own, but it pairs so well with simple sides that just round out the meal. A light and fresh cucumber tomato salad is lovely to cut through the richness. And who can resist some warm, crusty bread? My homemade garlic knots soak up that extra sauce perfectly! It’s a simple, delicious way to round out the meal.

Nutritional Estimate for Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

Alright, let’s talk numbers! While every kitchen and ingredient can vary a *smidge*, here’s a general idea of the nutritional goodies in a serving of this delicious crockpot chicken tortellini. This is a hearty dish, perfect for fueling up!

Keep in mind these are estimates, but they give you a good ballpark:

• Calories: Around 750
• Fat: About 45g
• Saturated Fat: Around 25g
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 50g
• Fiber: Approximately 4g
• Protein: About 35g
• Sugar: Around 12g
• Sodium: Varies a lot with marinara sauce, but estimate 1200mg.

It’s always a good idea to check your specific ingredient labels for the most accurate information! Makes planning so much easier.

Crockpot Chicken Tortellini

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An easy and creamy slow cooker chicken tortellini recipe with marinara sauce, perfect for busy weeknights. This dump-and-go meal is family-friendly and freezer-friendly.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 4-6 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 15 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (19 ounce) can refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into pieces
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

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Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Pour marinara sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), chicken broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper over the chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through.
4. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
5. Stir in the biscuit dough pieces, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
6. Add the tortellini and stir to combine.
7. Cover and cook on low for another 30-45 minutes, or until the tortellini is cooked and the sauce is heated through.
8. Serve hot.

Notes

• This recipe is freezer-friendly. Cool completely, then store in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• For meal planning, you can prep the ingredients (except tortellini and cream) and store them in a freezer bag in the slow cooker insert. Add the tortellini and cream when ready to cook.
• This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or garlic bread.
• If you are looking for alternatives to cooking at home, consider exploring meal planning services or best meal delivery services for convenient options.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 750
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 150mg