Crockpot Pesto Chicken Recipe
This Crockpot Pesto Chicken recipe is a simple and flavorful slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken breasts infused with Italian seasoning and rich pesto sauce. Perfect for a hands-off meal, it comes together in the crockpot and is served with fresh chopped Roma tomatoes and grated Parmesan, making it a delicious and easy option for family dinners or meal prep.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup pesto
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
For Serving
- 4 tbsp pesto
- 1 Roma tomato, chopped
- 2 tbsp Parmesan, grated
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the crockpot, seasoning each piece evenly with Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper on all sides to build a well-rounded flavor base.
- Add Pesto: Spoon the pesto sauce over the chicken breasts, spreading it thoroughly to cover all surfaces of the chicken, ensuring deep flavor penetration during cooking.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Around the 2-hour mark, check the moisture level; if the chicken appears dry, add a small amount of vegetable broth to keep it moist and continue to monitor periodically.
- Serve: Once cooking is complete, spread an additional tablespoon of pesto per chicken breast on top. Garnish with chopped Roma tomato and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan. Serve hot alongside your choice of rice, potatoes, pasta, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Check moisture levels halfway through cooking; add vegetable broth if needed to prevent the chicken from drying out.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Feel free to use store-bought or homemade pesto depending on availability and preference.
- This dish pairs well with a variety of sides including pasta, roasted vegetables, or creamy mashed potatoes.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 11.5 oz)
- Calories: 622 kcal
- Sugar: 5.5 g
- Sodium: 698 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 2.7 g
- Protein: 60 g
- Cholesterol: 168 mg
Keywords: Crockpot pesto chicken, slow cooker chicken recipe, easy dinner, Italian chicken, pesto chicken