Imagine walking into your kitchen after a long day, and being greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of Pesto Chicken simmering away in your crockpot.
The vibrant green pesto envelops tender chicken breasts, promising a flavorful meal that requires minimal effort.
With just a few kitchen tools and ingredients, you can create this delightful dish.
Curious about how to make this easy yet satisfying dinner that pairs perfectly with pasta or a fresh salad?
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Crockpot or Slow Cooker
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Measuring Cup
- 1 Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Cook & Prep Time
To effectively manage your time when preparing and cooking the Pesto Chicken Crockpot, follow this timeline:
- Preparation (10 minutes)
- Minute 0-2: Gather all ingredients and equipment (crockpot, cutting board, knife, measuring cup, spoon).
- Minute 3-5: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Minute 6-8: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the crockpot.
- Minute 9: Pour the pesto sauce and chicken broth over the chicken, drizzle olive oil, and sprinkle parmesan cheese.
- Minute 10: Cover the crockpot with its lid.
- Cooking (4 hours)
- Hour 0-4: Set the crockpot to cook on low. During this time, you can carry on with other activities or prepare any side dishes you plan to serve with the meal.
- Resting & Final Touches (5 minutes)
- Hour 4, Minute 0-1: Add cherry tomatoes to the crockpot and stir gently.
- Hour 4, Minute 2-5: Allow the dish to rest.
- Additional Time
- Reading & Understanding: Allocate 5 minutes prior to starting to read through the entire recipe to verify you understand each step.
Recipe Instructions
Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the crockpot.
Pour the pesto sauce and chicken broth over the chicken.
Drizzle olive oil on top of the chicken and sauce mixture.
Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the chicken.
Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 hours.
After cooking, add cherry tomatoes to the crockpot and stir gently.
Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Pasta: Serve the pesto chicken over a bed of al dente pasta for a hearty and comforting meal.
- Fresh Salad: Pair the dish with a crisp green salad to add freshness and balance the rich flavors.
- Garlic Bread: Complement the meal with slices of warm garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Rice: Offer a side of steamed rice to absorb the savory pesto sauce and make the dish more filling.
- Roasted Vegetables: Accompany the chicken with a medley of roasted vegetables for a nutritious and colorful side.
Storage
To store Pesto Chicken Crockpot, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
For extended storage, freeze in portions, ensuring airtight sealing to maintain freshness and flavor.
Freezing
To freeze Pesto Chicken Crockpot, allow it to cool completely.
Then, transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags.
Label with the date.
Store for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat Pesto Chicken Crockpot, place it in a microwave-safe dish.
Cover, and microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
Stir halfway, or until thoroughly heated.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, the Pesto Chicken Crockpot recipe is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that brings a taste of Italian cuisine to your home.
With minimal preparation and a few hours of cooking time, you can enjoy tender, flavorful chicken infused with the rich taste of pesto.
Pair it with pasta or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Don’t forget to savor the inviting aroma that fills your kitchen as it cooks.
Adjust the seasoning to your liking and enjoy this simple yet delicious dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Crockpot?
You can use frozen chicken breasts, but it’ll take longer to cook. I once did this, and the chicken was juicy! Just increase the cooking time by an hour and guarantee the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
What Can I Substitute for Pesto Sauce?
You can swap pesto sauce with a blend of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan. Once, I ran out of pesto and tried this DIY version; it was fragrant and delicious, complementing the dish perfectly.
Will the Cooking Time Change if I Double the Recipe?
If you double the recipe, keep the cooking time the same at 4 hours. Picture the tantalizing aroma filling your kitchen, as patience rewards you with perfectly tender chicken. Trust the process and savor every bite!
Is It Possible to Make This Dish Vegan?
You can make this dish vegan by swapping chicken for tofu or tempeh, using vegan pesto and broth. I once tried it with zucchini noodles instead of pasta. It’s surprisingly satisfying and bursts with flavor!
Can I Use a Different Type of Cheese Instead of Parmesan?
You can definitely swap parmesan for another cheese. Try asiago for a nuttier flavor or mozzarella for creaminess. I once used goat cheese, and it melted beautifully, adding tanginess. Just make certain it complements the pesto’s taste.
Pesto Chicken Crockpot
Equipment
- 1 CrockPot or slow cooker
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the crockpot.
- Pour the pesto sauce and chicken broth over the chicken.
- Drizzle olive oil on top of the chicken and sauce mixture.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the chicken.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 hours.
- After cooking, add cherry tomatoes to the crockpot and stir gently.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
