Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Tortellini is a creamy, comforting dinner made with tender chicken, broccoli, and cheese tortellini in a rich Alfredo sauce. It's made with a triple-dairy sauce of Alfredo sauce, cream cheese, and Parmesan. The tortellini is added at the end so it holds its shape and doesn't break down while soaking up all that flavor.
If you love tortellini dinners, be sure to try my cheesy tortellini Crock pot dinner for another easy, family-friendly meal packed with cheesy comfort-food flavor.
Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Tortellini Recipe at a Glance
- Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken, Alfredo sauce, cream cheese, cheese tortellini, broccoli, Parmesan, garlic, and simple seasonings
- Flavor: Rich, creamy, cheesy, and comforting
- Serve With: Garlic bread, focaccia, or a simple green salad
- Why You'll Love It: Easy to prep, perfect for busy weeknights, and the tortellini stays tender without getting mushy.
Summarize and Save
I've made a lot of slow cooker pasta recipes over the years, but this slow cooker chicken tortellini is one that always makes its way back into our dinner rotation.
It's the kind of meal that's easy to throw together on a busy day, and everyone is happy when a bowl of creamy tortellini and chicken ends up on the table. The kids always go straight for it, and I rarely have leftovers the next day.
If your family loves cheesy pasta dinners, add this cheesy chicken penne and Crock Pot stuffed shells to your meal plan this week.
Jump to:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Tortellini Recipe at a Glance
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Chicken Broccoli Tortellini in the Slow Cooker
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Tortellini Recipe FAQs
- More Delicious Crock Pot Chicken and Pasta Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Tortellini
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This creamy chicken tortellini slow cooker recipe is everything you want from a weeknight dinner. It's easy to prep, family-friendly, and loaded with comforting flavors, all while keeping the broccoli bright and tender.
- Only 15 minutes of hands-on prep before the slow cooker does the work.
- An extra creamy texture that coats every bite thanks to Alfredo, cream cheese, and Parmesan.
- The broccoli and tortellini are added at the end so they stay tender and not overcooked.
- Great for busy weeknights, meal prep, and feeding hungry families.
- Uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts become tender and easy to shred after slow cooking.
- Alfredo Sauce: Since this forms the base of the sauce, choose a good-quality jarred Alfredo sauce for the best flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese melts well into the sauce and adds extra richness. Cube it before adding so it melts more evenly.
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded varieties and helps create a smoother sauce.
- Frozen Cheese Tortellini: Frozen tortellini works especially well in this slow cooker chicken Alfredo with tortellini recipe because it holds its shape and texture during cooking.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli provides the best color and texture. If using frozen broccoli, add it straight from the freezer. If you love broccoli, you might enjoy my slow cooked beef and broccoli recipe.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken and load up on extra vegetables instead, such as mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or peas. The Alfredo, cream cheese, and Parmesan sauce still creates a rich, creamy base that works perfectly with the tortellini on its own.
- Chicken Thighs: Swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless thighs for richer flavor and a more tender texture. They also hold up well if the cooking time runs a little long.
- Different Tortellini: Cheese tortellini is the classic choice, but spinach and cheese or meat-filled tortellini both work well. Just keep an eye on cook time, as fresh varieties may cook a little faster.
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes, a pinch of Cajun seasoning, or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce for a little heat without overpowering the creamy base.
- Lighter Option: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and a lighter Alfredo sauce to cut back slightly on richness while still keeping the creamy texture.
How to Make Chicken Broccoli Tortellini in the Slow Cooker
This chicken alfredo tortellini in the Crock Pot comes together in two simple stages, so the chicken gets perfectly tender while the tortellini and broccoli stay fresh and don't overcook.
Just a little layering and timing is all it takes to get that creamy, comforting finish.
- Step 1: Add the chicken and sauce. Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker, then pour over the Alfredo sauce.
- Step 2: Add cheese and seasonings. Add the cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, and seasonings right on top so everything melts together as it cooks.
- Step 3: Slow cook until tender. Cover and cook until the chicken is fully cooked and easy to shred. The sauce will become thick, creamy, and flavorful as it simmers with the chicken.
- Step 4: Shred the chicken. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Add the mix-ins. Stir in the broccoli and frozen tortellini, making sure everything is coated in the sauce.
- Step 6: Finish cooking and serve. Cover again and cook just until the tortellini is tender and the broccoli is bright and slightly crisp. Serve hot with a side of warm, fresh no oven focaccia bread for dipping into the creamy sauce.
Expert Tips
- Watch the Tortellini Closely: The final cooking stage is the most important part of this recipe. Frozen tortellini usually takes about 20 minutes, but start checking around the 15-minute mark so it stays tender without overcooking.
- Use Frozen Tortellini and Finely Grated Parmesan: Frozen tortellini holds its shape better than refrigerated versions, which can turn too soft in the slow cooker. Finely grated Parmesan also melts more smoothly than pre-shredded Parmesan, helping to create a creamier, less grainy sauce.
- Shred the Chicken While It's Hot: Once cooked, shred the chicken right away while it's still warm. It pulls apart easily and mixes into the sauce more evenly.
- Store and Reheat Properly: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and bring back the creamy texture.
- Freeze the Sauce Only: The finished dish doesn't freeze well because the tortellini becomes soft and mushy once thawed. For best results, freeze just the chicken and sauce, then add fresh tortellini when reheating or finishing the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
- This Crock Pot chicken tortellini with broccoli is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting dinner with minimal effort. Serve it with a simple fresh salad and warm garlic bread for an easy family meal that feels complete without extra work.
- It also works really well for casual entertaining or potluck-style dinners since it stays warm in the slow cooker and feeds a crowd. If you're hosting, pair it with my slow cooker creamed corn and no-bake scalloped potatoes for a hearty, comforting spread that everyone will go back for.
- For a cozy finish to the meal, serve a simple dessert like slow cooker cherry cobbler. It's an easy way to round out a comforting dinner without turning on the oven.
Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Tortellini Recipe FAQs
Absolutely. Add frozen broccoli directly from the freezer during the final cooking stage. The texture of frozen broccoli will be softer than using fresh.
Yes, but timing is important. For this recipe, frozen tortellini is added during the final 20 minutes of cooking so it stays tender without becoming mushy.
This usually happens if the heat was too high or the cheese was added too early. Make sure to use finely grated (not pre-shredded) Parmesan, and stir well before serving to bring the sauce back together.
I don't recommend freezing the completed dish because the tortellini's texture changes after thawing. Instead, freeze the chicken and sauce mixture, then add freshly cooked tortellini when serving.
More Delicious Crock Pot Chicken and Pasta Recipes
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Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Tortellini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 15 ounces alfredo sauce
- 1 cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- 4 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 19 ounces frozen cheese tortellini
Instructions
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker, then top with garlic, black pepper, Italian seasoning, alfredo sauce, parmesan cheese, and cream cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Then add shredded chicken, broccoli, and tortellini into the slow cooker. Toss to coat and cook for 20 minutes.
Notes
- Use frozen tortellini and add it during the final cooking stage for the best texture.
- Shred the chicken while it's still warm so it mixes easily into the creamy sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese and helps create a creamier sauce.
- Add the broccoli at the end of cooking so it stays bright, tender, and not overcooked.
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
So easy to make and it is a great one to get the kiddos to eat their veggies.