Effortless Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Pasta: Your Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Solution
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Are you searching for an incredibly easy, amazingly flavorful, and fuss-free dinner that practically cooks itself? Look no further than this Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Pasta recipe! This dish brings together tender, succulent chicken, rich basil pesto, perfectly cooked pasta, and generous amounts of melty cheese into one comforting pot. With minimal hands-on preparation, you can achieve a truly delicious meal that the whole family will adore, making it ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.
Our slow cooker pesto chicken pasta is not just a meal; it’s a testament to the magic of hands-off cooking. Imagine coming home to the enticing aroma of basil and garlic, knowing that a hearty and satisfying dinner is waiting for you. This recipe simplifies your cooking process without compromising on taste, delivering a vibrant, savory, and incredibly creamy pasta dish with every bite. The beauty of the slow cooker truly shines here, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet-like experience with very little effort.
Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Pesto Chicken Pasta
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its simplicity, requiring just a handful of staple ingredients to create an incredibly flavorful meal. The true star of the show, delivering a burst of savory flavor and undeniable freshness, is basil pesto. This versatile ingredient effortlessly elevates the dish, making it a crowd-pleaser every time. Below is a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need to craft this delightful slow cooker pasta.
- Chicken Breast: We recommend boneless, skinless chicken breasts for ease and a leaner protein. Approximately 1.5 pounds is perfect for feeding 4-6 people. You could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor and slightly more forgiving meat that stays moist even if cooked a little longer.
- Basil Pesto: This is our superhero ingredient! While a high-quality jarred basil pesto from your grocery store works wonderfully and saves time, don’t hesitate to grab fresh pesto from the deli section for an even more vibrant flavor. If you’re feeling ambitious, homemade pesto (with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil) will take this dish to an unparalleled level.
- Butter: Sliced butter placed directly on the chicken ensures it remains moist and adds a creamy richness to the sauce as it melts and blends with the pesto. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference in flavor and texture.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken. Don’t skip this step, as it forms the foundational layer of flavor for your protein. Remember, you can always adjust to taste later.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is highly recommended for its superior flavor and melt. It incorporates beautifully into the sauce, adding a salty, umami depth. However, pre-grated Parmesan can be used in a pinch.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For the ultimate melty, gooey topping, buying a block of mozzarella and grating it yourself is the way to go. Pre-shredded mozzarella often contains anti-caking agents that can hinder its meltiness, so for that perfect cheese pull, grate your own!
- Pasta: Any type of pasta will work well here. Medium-sized shapes like penne, rotini, farfalle, or even fusilli are excellent choices as they hold the creamy pesto sauce beautifully. Cook it al dente for the best texture in the finished dish.
Mastering Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Pasta: Step-by-Step Guide
My love for the slow cooker is no secret. It’s a kitchen hero that consistently makes life easier, especially on busy days. This recipe perfectly showcases its incredible convenience. Here’s how to bring this comforting dish to life with minimal effort and maximum flavor:
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by seasoning your boneless, skinless chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken evenly at the bottom of your slow cooker. This initial seasoning is crucial for building a flavorful base.
- Add Pesto and Butter: Next, pour the entire jar of basil pesto directly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated. Then, place slices of butter on top of each chicken breast. The butter will melt as it cooks, infusing the chicken with moisture and richness, and creating a wonderfully creamy sauce.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 5 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and easily shreddable. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the thickness of your chicken breasts, so always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Cook the Pasta: About 20-30 minutes before the chicken is done, start preparing your pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta shape and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Al dente pasta will have a slight bite to it, which is perfect for this dish, preventing it from becoming mushy when combined with the sauce. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker (you can leave some of the liquid in the cooker). Here’s a life-saving hack: use a hand mixer to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker! It’s incredibly fast and efficient, saving you a lot of time and effort compared to using two forks. Once shredded, stir the chicken back into the pesto sauce in the slow cooker.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Stir in the Parmesan cheese and your cooked, drained pasta with the shredded chicken and pesto sauce. Ensure everything is well combined. Then, generously sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top of the mixture. This step is where all the flavors truly come together.
- Final Melt and Serve: Place the lid back on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for an additional 15 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. Once melted, give it a final stir, spoon the delicious pesto chicken pasta into bowls, and enjoy immediately!
Why This Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Pasta is a Must-Try
This recipe isn’t just another dish; it’s a culinary triumph for anyone seeking convenience without sacrificing flavor. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation:
- Unbeatable Convenience: The slow cooker does 90% of the work. With only a few minutes of prep, you can set it and forget it, leaving you free to tackle other tasks or simply relax. Perfect for busy weeknights when time is precious.
- Rich & Satisfying Flavor: The combination of fragrant basil pesto, tender chicken, creamy butter, and a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses creates a harmonious flavor profile that is both fresh and deeply comforting. It’s a taste that appeals to nearly everyone.
- Versatile & Adaptable: While delicious as is, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for customization. You can easily add extra vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms during the last hour of cooking. Want a little kick? A pinch of red pepper flakes would be excellent.
- Family-Friendly: Pasta and chicken are universal favorites, and the mild, appealing flavor of pesto makes this a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s a hearty meal that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
- Great for Meal Prep: Leftovers store beautifully, making this an excellent option for meal prepping lunches or dinners throughout the week. The flavors often deepen overnight!
Pro Tips for the Best Pesto Chicken Pasta
To ensure your slow cooker pesto chicken pasta turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: While the slow cooker is forgiving, cooking chicken for too long can make it dry. Stick to the suggested times and check for doneness.
- Cook Pasta Separately: Always cook your pasta on the stovetop and add it at the very end. Cooking pasta directly in the slow cooker can lead to a mushy texture and absorb too much liquid, leaving you with a dry sauce.
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Since the ingredient list is short, the quality of your pesto and cheeses will significantly impact the final taste. Invest in a good jarred pesto or, if possible, use fresh.
- Shredding Hack: Seriously, try the hand mixer for shredding chicken. It’s a game-changer!
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce after shredding the chicken and before adding the final cheese. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Pesto can be quite salty, so be mindful when adding extra salt.
- Consider Add-ins: For an extra layer of flavor and nutrition, stir in a handful of fresh spinach during the last 15 minutes of cooking, or add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts with the pesto.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker pesto chicken pasta is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides:
- Garlic Bread or Crusty Ciabatta: Perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
- Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes roasted with a little olive oil and garlic would make an excellent side.
Storage and Reheating
Have leftovers? Lucky you! This pasta dish is just as delicious the next day.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover pesto chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: While possible, pasta can sometimes become a bit softer when frozen and reheated. If you plan to freeze, ensure the pasta is slightly al dente before combining. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave or a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth, milk, or water to help loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out.
Explore More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
If you loved the ease and flavor of this pesto chicken pasta, you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic slow cooker meals:
Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells: A hearty, cheesy, and deeply satisfying dish that brings Italian comfort food to your slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs: Classic comfort in a creamy sauce, perfect over noodles or mashed potatoes with minimal fuss.
Creamy Chicken Pasta – Slow Cooker: Another fantastic pasta and chicken combination, focusing on a rich and creamy sauce for ultimate indulgence.
Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Pasta
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Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 8 oz jar basil pesto
- ⅓ cup butter, sliced
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- ¾ lb pasta, any pasta
Instructions
- To the bottom of the slow cooker add chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper, pour the jar of pesto over top of the chicken, place slices of butter on the top. Cover with lid.
- Cook on LOW for 5 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours or until the chicken is cooked.
- Once the chicken is almost finished cooking prepare the pasta. To a pot of boiling water add the pasta and cook according to box directions. Drain and set to the side.
- Now that the chicken is cooked shred it up. Stir in parmesan cheese and cooked pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melty. Stir and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.