Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken
You won’t believe how simple and easy this crockpot pesto chicken recipe is! Made with just chicken thighs and pesto (plus salt and pepper!), this chicken essentially cooks itself in the slow cooker, leaving you with pieces of chicken that are super juicy and have tons of flavor. Serve the pesto chicken with pasta or rice and a veggie for a simple, nutritious, and delicious meal.
This recipe is dreamy. 🍃
Ridiciously simple, super-flavorful, and can be used in many different ways.
The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, while basil pesto infuses juicy chicken thighs with bright, herby goodness. It’s…
😋 Seriously delicious: Juicy chicken is infused with bold basil pesto, it’s so delicious and can be enjoyed in so many different ways.
🛒 Made with simple ingredients: Just 2 ingredients: chicken and pesto!
⏲️ Effortless cooking: Set it and forget it, no need to brown chicken!
🥗 Versatile: Use in pasta, wraps, sandwiches, or as the protein component of your meal.
🍃 Fresh & herby: Perfect for spring or summer, it’s a great slow cooker meal for warmer months as it still tastes fresh and light.
🍽️ Family-friendly: Mild, approachable flavors that can work for the whole family.
❄️ Great for meal prep: Makes amazing leftovers.
You’ll also want to try buffalo shredded chicken, salsa chicken, shredded beef, and slow cooker brats.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need just two ingredients to make this pesto chicken: chicken thighs (boneless, skinless), prepared pesto (homemade or store-bought), salt, and pepper.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: I like to keep the chicken in chunks (and not cook it until it completely shreds), but you could also leave the thighs whole and cook until they are soft enough to shred.
- Shortcuts: Use prepared pesto and this meal comes together in minutes.
- Feeding kids without pressure: I would recommend serving the pesto chicken thighs in a pinch bowl (taster bowl) if it’s a new or learning-to-like it food. Serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, salad, or bread and butter.
- Additions: Mozzarella cheese and diced tomatoes (or even a jarred bruschetta) would be delicious additions.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken is so versatile and there are so many ways to enjoy it. Here are a few favorites:
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta – Stir in a little heavy cream into the chicken and serve alongside your favorite pasta tossed with pesto or pesto tortellini and some grated Parmesan cheese. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper, flaky salt, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Pesto Chicken Sandwich – Top a slice of lightly toasted bread with warmed pesto chicken and top with fresh mozzarella cheese and broil until cheese is melty. When it comes out of the oven, top it with chopped cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes) tossed with balsamic vinegar or a sliced tomato drizzled with balsamic. This turkey pesto panini is slightly different, but similar.
- Simple Dinner – Serve crockpot pesto chicken thighs as the protein component of a simple meal alongside your favorite sides – rice or cauliflower rice, a big green salad, or a simple veggie like sautéed zucchini, green beans.
- Pesto Chicken Salad – Use this chicken for pesto chicken salad to serve in croissants, spread over crusty bread, in wraps, or over salad greens.
Crockpot Pesto Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
This easy slow cooker pesto chicken is made with just 2 ingredients and packed with flavor. Perfect for meal prep, dinner, or pasta night!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2 tsp. sea salt
- black pepper
- 1/3 cup pesto
Instructions
- Place chicken thigh chunks in the bottom of a slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Top with 1/3 cup of pesto.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Notes
- Use prepared or homemade pesto.
- Storage: Store leftover pesto chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat pesto chicken in a hot skillet or microwave, just until heated through.
- Freezer storage: These chicken thighs freeze really well. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Ingredient notes: Use your favorite homemade basil pesto or store-bought pesto. I love to make my own fresh basil pesto in the summer when the basil plant is abundant, but I rely on Kirkland brand from Costco the rest of the year!
- Prep ahead: Brew coffee in advance and reheat if needed, but froth milk fresh for the best texture.
- Special tools: All you need is a slow cooker! This is my favorite one, it’s basic but I like it better than some of the fancier ones I’ve tried!
- Serve with: Kale salad, crusty bread, pasta.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
If you like this pesto crockpot chicken recipe, you might also like these other easy slow cooker recipes:
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
- Crockpot Pulled Buffalo Chicken
- Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- Crockpot Shredded Beef
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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