Slow Cooker Lemon Pesto Chicken {Freezer Meal Friendly}


29 Comments


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Slow Cooker Lemon Pesto Chicken. This tangy chicken and sauce go great over pasta or rice, and this meal is freezer meal friendly!

lemon pesto chicken and pasta in a bowl
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This meal freezes very well, no funny taste or mushiness after being thawed and cooked. I serve this chicken and sauce over pasta, and top with parmesan cheese.

Putting this meal into freezer bags is easy peasy. No chopping! Just cut some lemons in half, squeeze the juices, then load up the bags. I make 2 freezer meals at a time since the jar of pesto is just enough for 2 recipes.

juiced lemons, pesto, chicken and a ziplock bag
ziplock bag filled with chicken and pesto

This meal does not need to be made into a freezer meal if you aren’t into doing that. You can add the ingredients directly to the slow cooker.

lemon pesto chicken and pasta in a bowl

I was so happy that my daughter loved this meal. Usually, she won’t eat anything with green seasonings on it, that’s pretty much every recipe I make!

curly noodles, chicken, broccoli, and lemon in an oval bowl.

Try one of these other freezer meals too:

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curly noodles, chicken and broccoli in a oval bowl.

Slow Cooker Lemon Pesto Chicken {Freezer Meal Friendly}

5 from 23 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 5
Lemon and pesto with chicken in the crockpot.

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless skin-less chicken breasts
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup “FRESHLY SQUEEZED” lemon juice, (I don't recommend squeeze bottle lemon juice for cooking)
  • 1/2 cup jarred basil pesto, I use Classico brand
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions 

  • (IF MAKING A FREEZER MEAL DON’T COOK FIRST, FOLLOW FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS)
  • Add everything to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Serve over pasta or rice, topped with parmesan cheese.

Freezer instructions:

  • Add everything to a gallon Ziplock bag. Squeeze out excess air and seal. Place in freezer for up to a month. When ready to make, thaw for 24 hours in the fridge. Follow cooking instructions above.

Sarah’s Notes

I use Classico basil pesto for this recipe, it’s next to the jarred pasta sauces in the grocery store.

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 678mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 541IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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29 Comments

  1. Lisa says:

    5 stars
    Used homemade pesto and did not make it a freezer meal—just made it without freezing. Family loved it. Chicken was tender and we used the sauce to pour over rice which we served alongside it. Will definitely make again!

  2. Jha says:

    Hi! Can i cook this in the oven at 400 for 20 min?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I have not tested it. But yes, cook until the chicken is no longer pink.

  3. Ida and Carlyle Bailey says:

    Used boneless ski less thighs. Very moist and delicious. Only 6 hrs o. Low.

  4. Jeff D. says:

    5 stars
    I just made this and portioned out for my meal prep. I used lime instead of Lemon, Walmart was out. I also used a 1/2 cup extra of Chicken broth, since some said it could be dry. Coked on high for 4 hours.

  5. Liz says:

    Would this be good with limes instead of lemons? I only have limes right now…..

  6. Arielle Hamm says:

    Have you tried putting this is a pressure cooker? If so is there anything different that needs to be done besides the time is cooks?

  7. Kellie says:

    Love the flavor! Definitely wouldn’t do this in a Slow cooker again. I turned it off at 5 hours and was dry. Next time, Ill brown the Chicken on the stovetop and throw it in the oven in my castiron with all of the ingredients.

  8. Maria says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! Super yummy and easy to make! Works great in crockpot and in the oven. Pairs well with pasta and rice.
    Definitely in our regular dinner rotation! Thanks for the recipe

  9. Stella says:

    5 stars
    I served this with roasted potatoes and it was a hit, even with my picky two-year-old. I only cooked it for 5 hours on low and it was still a bit overdone, but I’d chalk that up to my slow cooker. Thanks for a delicious, time-saving recipe!