Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

There are some dinners that make you look a lot more put together than you actually feel, and this slow cooker chicken Alfredo tortellini is one of them. Tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, spinach, and creamy Alfredo sauce come together in the crockpot for a flavorful dinner that works especially well on busy nights.

As a dietitian, I'm all for keeping the comfort food exactly what it is and finding simple ways to round out the meal, like stirring in a few handfuls of spinach.

And yes, we're taking the jarred Alfredo shortcut. Add a few simple ingredients, let the slow cooker do its thing, and finish it off with plenty of cheese for a dinner that tastes like you fussed.

If cozy crockpot dinners are your thing, try my crockpot lasagna soup or gumbo with chicken and sausage next.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Minimal prep: The slow cooker does most of the work, with just a few quick finishing steps at the end.
• Cozy family dinner: Creamy Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and cheesy tortellini make this an easy comfort food meal everyone can dig into!
• Simple grocery-store shortcuts: Jarred Alfredo sauce and refrigerated tortellini keep the ingredient list short without making dinner feel boring.
• Veggies built right in: Baby spinach adds some color and greens to dinner without requiring you to cook another side dish.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

We're using simple ingredients and a couple of shortcuts to keep dinner easy and flavorful.

• Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook right in the Alfredo mixture until tender enough to shred. Make sure to choose pieces that are similar in size helps them cook more evenly.
• Alfredo sauce: Use a jarred Alfredo sauce you already know you like since it provides most of the flavor. Picking a thicker sauce will give the finished tortellini a creamier texture! 
• Chicken broth: A little chicken broth loosens the Alfredo sauce for slow cooking and gives the tortellini some extra liquid to cook in without turning the dish soupy.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion powder add easy savory flavor without any chopping, which keeps prep especially simple.
• Cheese tortellini: Refrigerated cheese tortellini works especially well here because it cooks quickly and can go straight into the slow cooker near the end.
• Baby spinach: Fresh baby spinach wilts right into the creamy sauce and adds some color and greens without requiring you to make another side dish.
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella adds extra creaminess and gives the finished tortellini a melty, cheesy texture.
• Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds a sharper, salty flavor that balances the Alfredo sauce, and freshly grated Parmesan will melt most smoothly.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions & Variations

This recipe is easy to customize with simple swaps that work for your family.

• If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs work well in place of chicken breasts and stay especially tender in the slow cooker.
• Frozen tortellini can replace refrigerated tortellini, but give it a little extra cooking time and check it often for tenderness.
• For another easy vegetable option, small broccoli florets can replace the spinach and add a little more texture to the finished dish.
• If your family likes some heat, red pepper flakes add a gentle kick that works well with the creamy Alfredo sauce.
• For a little more herby flavor, Italian seasoning gives jarred Alfredo sauce an easy boost without adding another prep step.
• When you need an even quicker dinner, rotisserie chicken can replace the raw chicken, but stir it in closer to the end so it stays tender.
• For extra color and a punch of savory flavor, sun-dried tomatoes pair especially well with the creamy sauce, spinach, and Parmesan.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

This one stays simple from start to finish, with the slow cooker doing the heavy lifting.

Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker and season them evenly with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step 2: Pour the chicken broth and Alfredo sauce over the chicken, making sure most of the chicken is covered.

Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for about 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours, depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 4: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate or cutting board, then shred it with two forks or cut it into bite-size pieces before returning it to the slow cooker.

Step 5: Stir in the refrigerated cheese tortellini, making sure most of the pasta is coated in the warm Alfredo sauce.

Step 6: Cover and cook on HIGH for about 10 to 15 minutes, then stir in the baby spinach and half of the mozzarella cheese.

Step 7: Continue cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and the spinach has wilted. Check the tortellini early because it can go from tender to overly soft pretty quickly.

Step 8: Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. 

Step 9: Spoon into bowls and finish with additional cheese if you like.

Tips for the Best Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

These easy tips help everything stay creamy, cheesy, and perfectly tender.

• Since refrigerated pasta cooks quickly, start checking the tortellini early and stop cooking as soon as it reaches the tenderness you like.
• Because the sauce provides so much of the flavor, choose an Alfredo sauce you already enjoy instead of grabbing one you haven't tried before.
• For the smoothest cheesy finish, shred your own mozzarella so they melt easily into the warm Alfredo sauce.
• If your finished sauce feels too thick, stir in a small splash of warm chicken broth at a time until it reaches the creamy consistency you want.
• To keep the greens bright and tender, stir the baby spinach in near the end and cook it just long enough to wilt.

Storage

This creamy slow cooker chicken and tortellini makes great leftovers with a few easy storage and reheating tips.

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Reheating: Warm leftovers gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce.
• Make ahead: Prep the chicken, seasonings, and sauce ahead of time, but wait to add the tortellini, spinach, and cheese until the end of cooking.
• Freezing: I don't recommend freezing the finished dish because the Alfredo sauce can separate and the tortellini can become too soft after thawing.