This Slow Cooker Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Pasta recipe is a perfect, easy dish that cooks itself while you’re busy with other things. It’s made in the slow cooker and it takes less than five minutes to assemble before you leave for work. You’ll come home to dinner waiting!
Why this recipe works
This meal is a perfect, easy dish that cooks itself while you’re busy with other things. It’s made in the crockpot and it takes less than five minutes to assemble before you leave for work. The chicken, pesto, and lemon cook while you are away, then cooked pasta and mozzarella cheese are added before serving.
How to Make Easy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Since there’s no cooking on your part at all, once the chicken and pesto are in the slow cooker, it’s a great recipe to have on hand during busy weeks. Just add cooked pasta and mozzarella and you have a delicious dinner that tastes like you’ve been cooking for hours.
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts – season genoursly with salt and pepper
- Pesto– I use a jar of Classico Traditional Basil Pesto. This ends up being about a cup of pesto.
- Salted butter – no need to melt, just slice it!
- Lemon – use a half of a large lemon. Do not use jarred lemon juice for this meal.
- Rotini Pasta cooked to al dente and drained – DO NOT ADD THIS UNTIL THE CHICKEN IS DONE COOKING
- Grated Parmesan – Mix this in with the pasta and chicken.
- Shredded mozzarella – Sprinkle this on top of the dish and let melt.
- Dried basil – for garnish
Step by Step Directions
Step 1 – Add the chicken and top with salt and pepper.
Step 2 – Smear over the pesto over the chicken.
Step 3 – Squeeze over the lemon juice.
Step 4– Slice the butter and add on top.
Step 5 – Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time
Step 6 – Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker with 2 forks.
Step 7– Add the cooked and drained pasta and the parmesan cheese, stir.
Step 8 – Sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese. Place the lid back on the slow cooker for 15 minutes more or until the cheese melts.
Recipes FAQs and Variations
The butter really flavors the dish and makes it decadent. Though if you want you can use a 1/2 cup of chicken broth instead of butter if desired.
I use chicken breasts for this dish but you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat or if budget is an issue. You’ll just need to make sure your thighs cook long enough so they’re tender and not tough.
Use the correct amount of water (see your pasta box) and make sure it’s boiling before adding the pasta. Stir the pasta gently into the water. Cook to al dente. Drain your pasta in a colander and add to the recipe.
Use a jar of sun-dried tomato pesto instead of basil pesto for a change
Add sliced mushrooms for added texture.
Change the pasta shape; you can use any hearty pasta shape such as bow-tie pasta or penne.
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Slow Cooker Pesto Mozzarella Pasta
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts (1.5-2 pounds works fine, 3 chicken breasts)
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 8.1 oz. jarred pesto I used Classico (be sure to look at the ingredients if you have anyone allergic to nuts)
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 lemon
These items don’t get added until the end
- 1 lb. dried rotini pasta (cooked and drained, see directions for more info)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan (I use the powdery shake bottle type)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 tsp. dried basil to garnish
Instructions:
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Spread over the pesto, squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken. Cut the butter into slices and lay over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Near the end of the cooking time, cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain well.
- Shred the chicken with 2 forks. Add the cooked pasta and the parmesan cheese, stir everything until the pasta is coated with the buttery pesto sauce and the chicken is evenly dispersed throughout the pasta. Add the mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Cover for about 15 more minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
- Use a jar of sun-dried tomato pesto instead of basil pesto for a change
- Add sliced mushrooms for added texture.
- Change the pasta shape; you can use any hearty pasta shape such as bow-tie pasta or penne.
Is there an Instapot recipe for this? We love it but most days it’s hard to fit this crock pot version in the schedule.
I made the recipe as written but added some sauteed fresh corn and mushrooms when I added the pasta. This was delicious and satisfying. Thank you for this recipe!
Frozen or non frozen breasts?
Thawed. All my recipes have thawed meats except for frozen meatballs.
My family loves this meal. So good. So easy! We are a family of 9 and kids are pretty picky.
Love this recipe! I added a jar of sun dried tomatoes, a couple more cloves of garlic and some fresh spinach eat the end. Very yummy!
I love that idea to add veggies!
Just made this for the first time, husband took two
I can’t find how many servings this is. Could you please let me know. I am cooking for 6-7 depending on work schedules.
This serves about 8. It’s at the top of the recipe card.
Oops! Sorry and thank you!
I live in the UK. What is Alfredo sauce? Also, if I halve the recipe ( with a smaller slow cooker) would I cook it on Low for less time? Thanks
Alfredo sauce is a sauce made from heavy cream, parmesan cheese and garlic. Yes, if you cut in half I’d cut down on the time by an hour or so.
How long on high?
3.5-4 hours
Made this a while back, Loved it! I did take the chicken out, shred it and put it back in the cooker. Today I’m going to add broccoli and spinach that I need to use up anyways. So creamy and delish!
Sorry didnt see your shred chicken part on here..lol It was 1 1/2 yrs ago since Ive made it.
Trying this with bone in chicken thighs. I’ll brown them in the pan before putting them in the slowcooker. I also pre marinated the thighs. I’m opting out of the cheese and pasta and will add that separately. Wish me luck. Will update .
maybe i am reading it wrong, but arr there 492,000 calories in 8 servings lmao
Kcal is short for kilocalorie which is the same as Calorie
Little dry. I added some Alfredo and it made it much more creamy. Good flavors though.
Can’t wait to try. I’m always looking for crockpot recipes, especially in the spring. My husband and I have a greenhouse on our acreage, and raise bedding flowers for a neighboring city. My kids eat anything and don’t mind being guinea pigs.