Crockpot Pesto Chicken

Chicken covered with pesto in the crockpot.

5 from 18 votes

This pesto chicken made easy in the slow cooker has just two main ingredients, although if you have a homemade pesto you love, you can use here. A healthy and delicious dinner for busy weeknights.

Prep Time5

Cook Time3

Total Time3 5

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic, Low Calorie, Low Lactose, Low Salt

Servings: people

Author: Alicia

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1½ cups pesto (homemade or store-bought)
kosher salt and black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cover with 1 cup of pesto, spreading it all around the chicken. Place the lid on top.
Cook chicken on low heat for about 3-4 hours, or until fully cooked through. If using boneless chicken thighs, these typically cook in about 2-3 hours on low heat, depending on thickness. Some of the basil pesto may darken and turn brown from oxidation. This is ok and will taste fine, we fix the color once it is finished cooking!
Once cooked, top the chicken with the remaining 1/2 cup of pesto. Serve over pasta, mashed cauliflower or potatoes.

Notes

The first time making this, check about 2 hours in to see if you still have enough liquid. If it looks dry, add 1/4 cup of vegetable broth. For reference, I've never had to do this, but different slow cookers can cook differently. This is especially possible if you don't use as much chicken or pesto as the recipe calls for. I've also had my chicken completely cooked through after 2 hours.
I prefer using low heat for this recipe as it tends to preserve the color of the pesto better.
Shredded chicken tends to require a longer cooking time, so if you want this to shred easily over pasta, stick with closer to 3 1/2 to 4 hours of cooking time.
For those needing nut-free, citrus-free, or parmesan-free pesto, try this sunflower seed pesto. Good for those on a low-sodium diet too!
I have found different types of pesto turn different colors after cooking! Using a bright green one tends to produce the best visual results, versus ones that are more yellow, but use your favorite for the best flavor.

Nutrition