Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- Olive oil spray
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast (about 4 medium breasts)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion granules
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
Tortellini and Cheese
- 1 lb cheese tortellini
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup heavy cream
Greens and Garnish
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the inside of the slow cooker with olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Layer the chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker for even cooking.
- Add sauce and seasonings: Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken, then evenly sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red chili flakes over the top. Add chicken broth around the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Cover and set the slow cooker to LOW. Let it cook for about 4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, mixing it uniformly with the sauce.
- Add tortellini and dairy: Stir in the cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella cheese, and heavy cream to the slow cooker until well combined.
- Continue cooking: Cook on LOW for another 30 minutes so the tortellini becomes tender and the cheese melts perfectly.
- Add the spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook for an additional 10 minutes until wilted and incorporated.
- Finish with Parmesan and seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of similar size to ensure even cooking throughout.
- For a lighter alternative, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half without sacrificing creaminess.
- You can customize the spice level by adding more or less red chili flakes according to your taste.
- This recipe works well with either fresh or frozen tortellini; just adjust cooking time if using frozen.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
