Crockpot Chicken Tortellini (Printable Version)
Tender chicken and cheese tortellini simmered in a creamy, herb-infused broth with vegetables. Pure comfort food.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb 2 oz)
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 cups baby spinach (about 2 oz)
03 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Soup Base
06 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 1 can (14 oz) evaporated milk or half-and-half
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Tortellini
11 - 1 lb refrigerated cheese tortellini
→ Dairy
12 - 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (about 3.5 oz)
13 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, cubed and softened (about 4.2 oz)
# How-To:
01 - Arrange chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add sliced carrots, diced onion, and minced garlic on top.
02 - Pour in the chicken broth, then sprinkle with dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
03 - Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and cooked through.
04 - Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return the shredded meat to the pot.
05 - Stir in the evaporated milk and cubed cream cheese, mixing thoroughly until the cream cheese melts and the broth becomes smooth.
06 - Add the cheese tortellini and baby spinach. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on HIGH for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the tortellini is tender and the spinach has wilted.
07 - Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese just before serving. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy broth soaks into every tortellini pocket, making each bite feel like a warm hug on a cold evening.
- It practically cooks itself while you handle everything else life throws at you.
02 -
- Never add the tortellini at the beginning or you will end up with disintegrated pasta mush by hour four.
- Cream cheese must be softened before stirring or you will chase lumps around the pot for ten frustrating minutes.
03 -
- Spray your crockpot insert with a light coat of cooking spray before adding anything to make cleanup dramatically easier.
- Taste the broth before adding tortellini because the flavor concentration changes significantly depending on whether you cooked on high or low.