Slow Cooker Tortellini Cheesy Chicken (Printable)

Creamy slow-cooker tortellini with chicken, basil pesto, and melty cheeses for a simple, comforting family dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed (about 1.5 lbs)

→ Pasta

02 - 18 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini

→ Dairy

03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 4 oz cream cheese, cubed

→ Pesto and Seasonings

07 - ½ cup basil pesto sauce
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

12 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

# How To Cook:

01 - Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
02 - Arrange the cubed chicken breasts evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, tossing to coat.
03 - Scatter the minced garlic over the chicken, then distribute the cubed cream cheese in small dollops across the top.
04 - Pour the heavy cream and basil pesto sauce over the chicken mixture. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 3 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld.
06 - After 3 hours, add the cheese tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped spinach to the slow cooker. Fold gently into the mixture.
07 - Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.
08 - Cover and continue cooking on low for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, until the tortellini is tender and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Stir the casserole well before serving to incorporate the melted cheese throughout. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does nearly all the work while you go about your day, and the result tastes like you stood over a stove for hours.
  • Creamy, cheesy, and packed with pesto flavor, this is the kind of meal that disappears before leftovers are even a possibility.
02 -
  • Do not add the tortellini at the beginning with the chicken or it will turn to mush by the time the dish is done.
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid during the first three hours because every peek lets precious heat escape and slows the cooking.
03 -
  • Use homemade pesto with toasted pine nuts if you want a deeper, nuttier flavor that elevates the entire dish.
  • Let the finished casserole rest for five minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly and clings to every piece of tortellini.

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