Description
This Creamy Spinach Tortellini Chicken Casserole is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a savory marinara and seasoning blend, combined with cheese tortellini, creamy mozzarella, and fresh spinach for a hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Sauce
- Olive oil spray
- 1 ½ lb 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
Pasta & Cheese
- 1 lb cheese tortellini
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup heavy cream
- â…“ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Vegetables
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Coat the inside of the slow cooker pot with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Add marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning mix, paprika, red chili flakes, and chicken broth. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring to combine with the sauce.
- Add Tortellini and Cream: Stir in the cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella cheese, and heavy cream. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes on LOW to allow the tortellini to cook through and the cheese to melt.
- Finish with Spinach and Parmesan: Add the baby spinach and grated Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker. Stir until the spinach wilts and all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cheese tortellini depending on availability.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red chili flakes.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and leftovers reheat well.
- Adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley at the end can enhance flavor.
