This Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken is an easy, dump-and-go dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights! Lots of flavor and only 5 ingredients to make!
If you like this slow cooker chicken recipe, try my Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken or Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken!
Slow cooker pesto chicken is a delicious family-friendly meal that you can make with ease, and it’s ready in just 6 hours! This recipe calls for Italian seasoning, pesto and mozzarella cheese to give it an amazing flavor.
When you combine all of the ingredients into this recipe, you get something really special! The combination of pesto and chicken soaks up all the flavors in the sauce making this a favorite meal to make again and again.
Why This Recipe Works
This Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Recipe is perfect for those busy nights or when you just don’t feel like cooking. It’s easy to make and the chicken comes out juicy and delicious. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover pesto.
What You Will Need
- Chicken – use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Can also use skinless chicken thighs but cooking times may vary.
- Chicken broth – adds more flavor and prevents the chicken from burning and sticking to the crock pot.
- Pesto – the main ingredient that adds all the flavor. Don’t skip this one ingredient. And if you don’t have any on hand, make your own with the ingredients below.
- Italian seasoning – can also use ranch seasoning or any of your favorite seasonings.
- Fresh Mozzarella cheese – fresh slices is best but can also use shredded mozzarella.
How to Make Pesto
If you don’t have pesto on hand, you can always make your own. To make pesto sauce, you will need to mix together some basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. Once the ingredients are mixed together, pour the pesto sauce into a container and store it in the refrigerator.
Recipe Tips
- Cook on low – I recommend cooking on low. This will give you a moist and tender chicken. High heat tends to dry the chicken out and may be rubbery.
- Cooking times may vary – depending on your crock pot and how big the chicken breasts are will make your cooking time vary. Make sure chicken if fully cooked and internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
How to Make Pesto Chicken in the Slow Cooker
- Place chicken in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over top.
- Add pesto on top of chicken.
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours (highly recommend cooking on low and slow) or high 4-6 hours and until internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
- At the last 10 minutes, Mozzarella cheese over top and cover to melt for 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately with your favorite side dish!
What to Serve with Pesto Chicken
Pesto chicken is a delicious and healthy meal that can be served with a variety of sides. Some popular sides include rice, pasta, and vegetables. Here are some ideas for what to serve with pesto chicken.
- Roasted vegetables: Roast a variety of vegetables either in the oven or on the grill and then top them with pesto chicken. This will give the dish a lot of flavor and appeal.
- Zucchini noodles: Spiralized zucchini noodles make a great side dish for pesto chicken. Also, another alternative to a healthy and gluten free dish.
- Steamed broccoli: Steamed broccoli is another popular side dish for pesto chicken. It is healthy and tastes great.
- Garlic mashed potatoes: Garlic mashed potatoes are another great side dish for pesto chicken. They are creamy and delicious and also go great with an additional side of veggies.
- Pasta: Pesto chicken can be served over any type of pasta (spaghetti, angel hair, etc).
Storing & Heating
- To Store: Place any remaining leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Heat to desired temperature in microwave.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken
Ingredients
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 6.5 ounce jar pesto
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh Mozzarella cheese sliced
Instructions
- Place chicken in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over top.
- Add pesto on top of chicken.
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours (highly recommend cooking on low and slow) or high 4-6 hours and until internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
- At the last 10 minutes, Mozzarella cheese over top and cover to melt for 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately with your favorite side dish!
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Cook on low – I recommend cooking on low. This will give you a moist and tender chicken. High heat tends to dry the chicken out and may be rubbery.
- Cooking times may vary – depending on your crock pot and how big the chicken breasts are will make your cooking time vary. Make sure chicken if fully cooked and internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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