Do you want to impress your family and friends with a delicious and effortless main course? Slow cooker pesto ranch chicken is a perfect choice. It's a simple dish that combines the creamy, nutty flavor of pesto with the tangy, herby flavors of ranch dressing. The chicken comes out tender and moist, and the sauce is thickened and rich. Served over pasta, rice, or vegetables, slow cooker pesto ranch chicken is a flavorful and easy meal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
SLOW-COOKER PESTO CHICKEN THIGHS
Versatile, juicy and oh-so affordable, these slow-cooker chicken thighs can easily be transformed into two family friendly dinners.
Provided by By Cindy Rahe
Categories Entree
Time 4h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Spray slow cooker lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. Nestle chicken thighs in slow cooker in even layer; they may be arranged tightly, if necessary.
- In small bowl, stir pesto and chicken broth. Pour over chicken thighs, and spread evenly with spoon.
- Cover and cook on High heat setting 4 hours. Serve immediately using one or both of the ideas below, or cool slightly and refrigerate in an airtight container for a few days until ready to use.
- Bruschetta-Topped Chicken: In medium bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes, 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Let stand 10 minutes for flavors to blend. Spoon over 1/2 recipe hot Slow-Cooker Pesto Chicken Thighs, and serve with rice or pasta as desired. (To use the entire recipe of chicken thighs, double these ingredient amounts.)
- Bacon Ranch Pasta and Chicken: Cook and drain 1/2 lb pasta (a short variety) as directed on package. Toss hot pasta with 1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend, 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled and 1/2 recipe Slow-Cooker Pesto Chicken Thighs, shredded. Top with a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil leaves, if desired. Serve warm. (To use the entire recipe of chicken thighs, double these ingredient amounts.)
Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 165 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 37 g, SaturatedFat 4 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 460 mg, Sugar 0 g, TransFat 0 g
SLOW COOKER CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN AND PASTA
Super-creamy and flavorful from pesto and grated Parmesan cheese, this chicken and pasta dish is made in a slow cooker and perfectly rich.
Provided by Meretia
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes Pasta
Time 5h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place chicken in a slow cooker on High power. Add broth and water to cover. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook until chicken is no longer pink inside, about 3 hours.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker, shred using a fork, and return meat to the pot. Add 1 cup cream and entire jar of pesto.
- Cook on High 1 more hour.
- Add remaining cream, egg noodles, and 3/4 of the grated Parmesan-Romano-Asiago cheese to the slow cooker. Add milk.
- Cook on High until noodles are cooked, about 1 hour more. Add extra milk for a thinner sauce. Top with remaining Parmesan-Romano-Asiago cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 831.6 calories, Carbohydrate 45.7 g, Cholesterol 230.6 mg, Fat 49.7 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 49.9 g, SaturatedFat 24 g, Sodium 1075 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
SLOW COOKER PESTO RANCH CHICKEN
I love the flavor of pesto! I fell in love with it when I made homemade pesto and this chicken recipe here.
Provided by Alyssa Rivers
Categories Dinner Main Course
Time 4h15m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Spray slow cooker with cooking spray and place chicken breasts in the bottom.
- Sprinkle ranch packet over the chicken breasts, pour pesto over the top, and lastly pour the chicken broth over the top.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Easy huh? :)
Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Protein 33 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 99 mg, Sodium 861 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SLOW COOKER PESTO CHICKEN THIGHS
This recipe is quick and easy!! You just add the ingredients and go!! My husband loves this recipe and he is a very picky eater!! The leftover sauce make a great topping for mashed potatoes or a wonderful stock for soup!
Provided by princess1479
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 6h5m
Yield 1 chicken thigh, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place chicken into the slow cooker or crock-pot. I use a 5 qt crock-pot.
- Pour chicken broth over chicken.
- Add your pesto sauce and garlic, then top with salt and pepper.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, the longer you cook this the better it is.
- Serve over rice or with mashed potatoes. You can use the sauce for topping for the mashed potatoes.
SLOW COOKER RANCH CHICKEN
This is a fabulous slow-cooker ranch chicken recipe that we have passed around to all our friends, especially those who have young children. It's wonderful for a cold winter night or a hot summer day when you don't want to turn on the oven. Serve it as a weeknight family dinner or for a large group. -Sonya Stark, West Jordan, Utah
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 7h10m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a 4-5-qt. slow cooker, combine broth and dressing mix; add chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Remove chicken to cutting board; shred with two forks and return to slow cooker. , Stir in soup and cream cheese. Cover and cook on low until cream cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles. Add optional toppings as desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 267 calories, Fat 15g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 94mg cholesterol, Sodium 776mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
SLOW COOKER PESTO RANCH CHICKEN RECIPE
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of slow cooker.
- Spread jar of pesto over chicken using a spoon. Sprinkle on ranch dressing mix. Pour chicken stock over the top.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. If you can, try to use organic chicken and fresh herbs.
- Don't overcrowd the slow cooker. If you're cooking a lot of chicken, cook it in batches or use a larger slow cooker.
- Cook the chicken on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before shredding it. This will help the juices redistribute and keep the chicken moist.
- Serve the chicken with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a salad.
Conclusion:
This slow cooker pesto ranch chicken is an easy and delicious weeknight meal. It's perfect for a busy family or anyone who wants a healthy and flavorful meal without a lot of effort. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover chicken. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner, give this recipe a try!
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