Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo with Cheese Tortellini

 

    Has it ever been "that kind of day," and you just don't feel like putting a lot of effort into making dinner? .  Or the weather just too hot to turn on the oven?  Around our house, it was "that kind of day," and I didn't feel like putting in a lot of effort into dinner, but I knew I was hoping to make some comfort food.  So, I turned to the slow cooker and figured that would be a great compromise.  

    I opted for Chicken Alfredo since it was just David and I home for dinner that night.and we didn't have to worry about any dairy free options.  This doesn't need to cook for that long, so I started the slow cooker that afternoon with the chicken breast and alfredo sauce.  You have the option of cooking the tortellini in the slow cooker 15 minutes before serving, or do what I did and cook them separately and toss everything together before serving.  I "doctored up" the jarred Alfredo sauce I used added grated garlic, a little salt and pepper, onion powder, dried parsley, half and half, and shredded parmesan.  

    Extremely easy dinner, and most importantly stress free!  Sometimes you just need that kind of dinner.  Serve with a salad and bread!  

This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. chicken breasts or 3 - 4 large chicken breasts
• 2 jars Alfredo sauce
• 2 cloves of garlic, grated
• 2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tbsp. dried parsley
• 1/2 c. half and half
• 3/4 c. shredded parmesan
• salt and pepper
• 1 20oz. package of cheese tortellini

Directions:

1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts.  Add to slow cooker.
2. In a medium size bowl, combine 1 jar of the Alfredo sauce, garlic, onion powder, parsley, salt and pepper, and parmesan.  Pour the 1/2 c. of half and half into the jar from the sauce, replace the top, shake to get any sauce left in the jar, and then pour into the bowl.  Mix well.  
3. Pour mixture over the chicken to coat.  Set the slow cooker for 5 hours.  Once the chicken is cooked, either shred or cut into chunks.  Keep warm in the slow cooker.
4. Either cook the tortellini to package directions or add to the slow cooker.  If cooking the tortellini in the slow cooker, add the 2nd jar of sauce and stir.  Set the slow cooker to simmer and cook for 10 minutes.  If cooking separately, add the second jar of sauce to the slow cooker, stir to combine, then add the tortellini once cooked and drained.
5. Serve with a simple salad and crusty bread.  Enjoy!

Note: This recipe would also be good served over a fettuccini or or angel hair pasta.