Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken
This Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. With tender boneless chicken breasts, creamy cream cheese, and aromatic basil pesto, it delivers rich, comforting flavors. The slow cooker ensures the chicken is cooked to perfection while the sauce thickens beautifully. Serve it over pasta for a complete, indulgent meal. This recipe is a family favorite and guaranteed to satisfy any craving for creamy chicken dishes.
Ingredients:
1 medium onion, sliced
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 packet Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup chicken broth
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened
1 (6 to 6.8-ounce) jar basil pesto
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1. Place the sliced onion at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with boneless, skinless chicken breasts and sprinkle with Italian dressing mix for added flavor.
2. Add chicken broth to the slow cooker for a rich base.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
4. With 15 minutes left in the cooking time, discard about half of the cooking liquid to thicken the sauce.
5. Add cream cheese, basil pesto, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker.
6. Cover and cook for the remaining 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to become creamy and flavorful.
7. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and stir the creamy sauce until the cream cheese is fully incorporated.
8. Serve the creamy pesto chicken over pasta for a satisfying and indulgent meal.
Nutrition: Calories: 526 kcal (approximate)
This Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken is the perfect dish for a comforting dinner, combining chicken, cream cheese, and basil pesto for a creamy, savory flavor. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, making it an easy, family-favorite recipe for busy days.
