Description

This Creamy Spinach Tortellini Chicken Casserole is a comforting slow cooker dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful marinara sauce seasoned with garlic, onion, Italian herbs, and a hint of spice. The sauce is enriched with cheese tortellini, mozzarella, heavy cream, and fresh spinach, topped off with grated Parmesan for a rich, creamy, and hearty casserole that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and 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 and Cheese

1 lb cheese tortellini
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups baby spinach
⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

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Instructions

Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker with olive oil spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour in the marinara sauce. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion granules, Italian seasoning mix, paprika, and red chili flakes over the chicken. Add chicken broth and stir lightly to combine ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker, mixing it well with the sauce.
Add Tortellini and Dairy: Stir in the cheese tortellini, shredded mozzarella, and heavy cream. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes on LOW, or until the tortellini is cooked and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Finish the Casserole: Add baby spinach and grated Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine and let the spinach wilt slightly from the residual heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve warm.

Notes

You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach, but be sure to drain excess water before adding.
For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the casserole cook uncovered for the last 10 minutes.
Use fresh cheese tortellini for the best texture, but frozen can be used if thawed slightly.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.