Slow Cooker Cheesy BBQ Bacon Chicken Tortellini
This Slow Cooker Cheesy BBQ Bacon Chicken Tortellini is a slow cooker pasta dinner made with tender chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, cheesy tortellini, and a creamy cheddar finish. A cheesy dump-and-go crockpot meal that’s great for busy weeknights.
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It’s also perfect for casual family dinners, potlucks, or even weekend gatherings. And it’s great to serve with a simple side like a fresh green salad or warm garlic bread.
A slow cooker is the best lazy dinner option. It’s easy to dump everything into the crockpot and let it cook itself, and then you’ll have dinner ready without standing in front of the stove all day.
How to Make Slow Cooker Cheesy BBQ Bacon Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Place the chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer. Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder.
2. Pour the barbecue sauce and chicken broth over the chicken. Stir gently around the chicken to combine the sauce.
3. Top with half the bacon.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
5. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the sauce.
6. Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini directly into the slow cooker and gently stir to combine with the chicken and sauce.
7. Stir in the heavy cream.
8. Sprinkle in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully combined.
9. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 20–30 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and heated through.
10. Stir gently, let sit for a few minutes to thicken.
11. Top with the remaining cheese and bacon.
Serve & Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best, but you can also use chicken thighs if you want extra juicy and tender meat. Just keep the cook time the same.
- Don’t overcook the tortellini: Add the refrigerated tortellini only near the end of cooking. If it cooks too long, it can get too soft and fall apart.
- Once the tortellini is in, mix carefully so it doesn’t break while still coating everything in that creamy BBQ sauce.
- If the mixture looks too thick, add a splash of chicken broth. If it’s too thin, let it sit uncovered for a few minutes after cooking so it can thicken up.
- Always add cheese gradually and stir well so it melts smoothly instead of clumping.
- For the best flavor, add half the bacon during cooking and the rest on top right before serving so you get both smoky flavor and crispy bits.
- Every slow cooker heats differently, so check the chicken early if yours runs hot to avoid dryness.
- This dish is creamiest and most flavorful right after it finishes cooking, so try to serve it warm and fresh if possible.
Slow Cooker Cheesy BBQ Bacon Chicken Tortellini
Ingredients
- 2–3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 20 oz package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place the chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer. Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder.
- Pour the barbecue sauce and chicken broth over the chicken. Stir gently around the chicken to combine the sauce.
- Top with half the bacon.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the sauce.
- Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini directly into the slow cooker and gently stir to combine with the chicken and sauce.
- Stir in the heavy cream.
- Sprinkle in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully combined.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 20–30 minutes, or until the tortellini is tender and heated through.
- Stir gently, let sit for a few minutes to thicken.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bacon.
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