This Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Tortellini is a hearty, flavor-packed slow cooker dinner made with tender shredded chicken, cheesy tortellini, and a rich tomato Parmesan sauce, all cooked together in one pot. With just a few minutes of prep, easy cleanup, and a set it and forget it slow cooker finish, it is perfect for busy weeknights.
If you love easy tortellini dinners, you should also try my creamy tortellini in the Crock Pot for another simple slow cooker meal.
Chicken Parmesan Tortellini at a Glance
- Time: 3 hours 40 minutes total (quick prep + slow cooker finish)
- Ingredients: Chicken breasts, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, cheese tortellini, parmesan, mozzarella, and simple seasonings
- Flavor: Rich, cheesy, and classic Italian-inspired with a hearty tomato base
- Serve With: Garlic bread, side salad, or roasted veggies to balance the richness
- Why You'll Love It: Cozy, cheesy comfort food made easy in the crockpot-minimal prep, big flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd
Summarize and Save
This is one of those dinners I lean on when I know the day is going to get busy. This chicken parmesan with tortellini keeps all the classic flavors but skips the extra steps, letting everything cook together right in the slow cooker.
The chicken turns tender as the sauce builds flavor while it cooks, and the tortellini finishes it off at the end. With how much my kids love cheesy pasta, this one always gets eaten without any complaints.
If you enjoy easy, family-friendly chicken and pasta dinners, you will also love chicken pot pie pasta and Tuscan chicken pasta.
Jump to:
- Chicken Parmesan Tortellini at a Glance
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Chicken Parmesan Tortellini in the Crock Pot
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Chicken Parmesan Tortellini Recipe FAQs
- More Crock Pot Chicken and Pasta Recipes for Dinner
- Chicken Parmesan Tortellini (Crock Pot Recipe)
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Crock Pot Chicken and Tortellini is all about keeping dinner simple without sacrificing flavor. Everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup easy and the results consistent every time.
- Set it and forget it slow cooker meal
- Cheesy and filling with minimal ingredients
- Great for feeding a crowd or leftovers
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook up tender and shred easily after a few hours in the slow cooker. If you're looking for more easy ideas, check out my collection of slow cooker chicken recipes.
- Pasta sauce: Use your favorite jarred pasta sauce. A thicker sauce works best, so the dish does not get watery.
- Diced tomatoes: Add texture and a little extra flavor that helps balance out the richness of the sauce and cheese.
- Tortellini: Frozen cheese tortellini holds up best in the slow cooker and won't get mushy.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor that brings in that classic chicken parmesan flavor. Freshly grated melts better and blends smoothly into the sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese: Brings everything together with that melted, cheesy finish.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free tortellini if you can find it, or swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta and adjust cooking time so it holds its texture in the slow cooker.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and load it with hearty vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers. You can also add white beans for extra protein, so it still feels filling without the meat.
- Switch up the protein: This recipe is flexible and works well with different proteins. Try shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut, or swap in ground chicken or ground turkey for a slightly different texture that still soaks up the sauce. Even pre-cooked Italian sausage works well if you want a deeper, more savory flavor.
- Add a little heat: Add red pepper flakes or a spoonful of Calabrian chili paste to the sauce for a little heat that balances nicely with the creamy cheese. Love a spicy dish? Try my Buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
- Make it extra creamy: Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream at the end for a richer, smoother sauce that gives the dish a more comforting finish.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Tortellini in the Crock Pot
This chicken parm tortellini in the Crock Pot is as simple as layering everything in and letting the slow cooker do the work. It is a low-effort dinner that builds in flavor as it cooks, finishing with tender chicken, cheesy pasta, and a rich sauce.
- Step 1: Build the sauce base. Add the pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir everything together so that the seasoning is evenly mixed into the sauce.
- Step 2: Add the chicken. Place the chicken breasts into the sauce and turn them to coat well. This helps them stay moist and absorb flavor as they cook.
- Step 3: Slow cook until tender. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or on low for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and easy to shred.
- Step 4: Shred, finish, and serve. Remove the chicken and shred it, then return it to the slow cooker with the tortellini and Parmesan. Stir until combined, top with mozzarella, and let it melt before serving. For a simple side, serve it with my green beans and bacon for an easy, complete meal.
Expert Tips
- Use frozen tortellini: Frozen tortellini holds its shape much better in the slow cooker and helps prevent a soft or mushy texture once everything is combined.
- Do not overcook the pasta: Add the tortellini toward the end of cooking so it stays tender and doesn't turn overly soft while soaking up the sauce.
- Choose a thick pasta sauce: A thicker sauce works best here since it clings to the chicken and tortellini and keeps the final dish from becoming too thin or watery.
- Shred the chicken well: Take a minute to shred the chicken into smaller pieces so it blends evenly throughout the sauce and mixes nicely with the pasta.
- Storage and reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in short intervals, or warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or sauce to restore the creamy texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Easy weeknight dinner: This chicken parm tortellini is perfect for busy nights when you want something filling. Serve it with a simple fresh garden or Caesar salad to balance out the richness of the pasta.
- Family dinners or casual get-togethers: Great for feeding a crowd since it stays warm in the slow cooker. Pair it with warm, slow-cooked focaccia bread for soaking up the sauce, or serve alongside chicken bacon ranch pasta for a bigger pasta spread.
- Game day or potluck tables: This dish fits right in at casual parties and gatherings. Start things off with a creamy dip like spinach and artichoke dip in the slow cooker, then serve the chicken parm tortellini as the main dish for a hearty, crowd-friendly meal.
Chicken Parmesan Tortellini Recipe FAQs
Yes. You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then store them in the fridge. Return to the slow cooker and cook on high for 1-2 hours. Once heated, add the tortellini and cheese and finish cooking as directed.
Yes, fresh tortellini works, but it cooks much faster than frozen. Add it closer to the very end of cooking so it holds its shape and does not become too soft.
Yes. You can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Just keep in mind that the tortellini may soften slightly after thawing and reheating, but the flavor will still be great.
More Crock Pot Chicken and Pasta Recipes for Dinner
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Chicken Parmesan Tortellini (Crock Pot Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 19 ounce bag frozen cheese tortellini
- 1½ cups parmesan cheese grated
- 1½ cups mozarella cheese grated
Instructions
- Add pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to the crock pot. Mix until well combined, then add chicken and toss to coat.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Then add chicken, tortellini, and Parmesan cheese to the crock pot. Mix until combined.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and cover, and continue cooking for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Use a thicker pasta sauce so the final dish stays rich and not watery after cooking.
- Add the tortellini at the end of cooking so it stays tender and does not turn too soft.
- Shred the chicken well so it mixes evenly through the sauce and coats the pasta better.
- Let the cheese melt fully before serving so everything comes together smooth and creamy.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen says
This is hands down one of my favorite pasta dinners to make in a slow cooker.