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Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken

Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken

Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the irresistible aroma of bubbling marinara, tender chicken, and melted mozzarella - without spending hours slaving over the stove! This Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution that will make your taste buds dance and your family beg for seconds. With just minutes of prep time and your trusty slow cooker doing all the hard work, you'll create a restaurant-worthy Italian feast that looks like you spent all day cooking.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients

  1. 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  2. 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  3. 1 package (9 oz) cheese tortellini
  4. 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  5. 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  6. Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Begin by preparing your ingredients. Gather 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 jar (24 oz) of marinara sauce, 1 package (9 oz) of cheese tortellini, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
  2. In the bottom of your crockpot, place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Ensure they are evenly spread out to allow for even cooking.
  3. Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce over the chicken thighs, making sure they are well coated. This will help keep the chicken moist and infuse it with flavor.
  4. Add 1 tsp of Italian seasoning to the sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine the seasoning with the sauce.
  5. Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the chicken to become tender and flavorful.
  6. After 6 hours of cooking, check the chicken to ensure it is fully cooked and tender. Use a fork to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces right in the crockpot.
  7. Next, add the package of cheese tortellini to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine the tortellini with the chicken and sauce.
  8. Cover the crockpot again and cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the tortellini is cooked through and tender.
  9. Once the tortellini is cooked, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish. Cover the crockpot for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
  10. Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, give the dish a final stir to combine everything. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  11. Serve the Crockpot Cheese Tortellini with Chicken warm, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian meal!

Tips

  1. For maximum flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts - they stay more tender and juicy during slow cooking.
  2. Don't add the tortellini too early! Adding it in the last 30 minutes prevents overcooking and keeps the pasta perfectly al dente.
  3. Use a high-quality marinara sauce as the base - it makes a huge difference in the overall taste of the dish.
  4. If you want to boost the protein, consider adding some sliced Italian sausage alongside the chicken.
  5. For a lighter version, you can use whole wheat tortellini and low-fat mozzarella without compromising on taste.
  6. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld together.
  7. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley just before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 218kcal

Carbohydrates: 17g

Protein: 15g

Fat: 9g

Saturated Fat: 4g

Cholesterol: 50mg

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