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!
If you love this recipe you may also want to try my Crockpot Chicken Alfredo Recipe.
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
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:
Sarah’s 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.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
You may also like these easy slow cooker recipes:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
- Slow Cooker Shrimp Scampi
- Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
- Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta
- Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken and Pasta
- Slow Cooker Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
- Slow Cooker Zucchini Bolognese
Danielle Alberti says
How long on high?
Sarah Olson says
3.5-4 hours
Jerri L Wilson says
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!
Jerri L Wilson says
Sorry didnt see your shred chicken part on here..lol It was 1 1/2 yrs ago since Ive made it.
Wouldntyouliketo says
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 .
mariya says
maybe i am reading it wrong, but arr there 492,000 calories in 8 servings lmao
Candi says
Kcal is short for kilocalorie which is the same as Calorie
Lexi says
Little dry. I added some Alfredo and it made it much more creamy. Good flavors though.
Maria says
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.
Tracy says
I absolutely love this recipe and we make it often. How can I make this in my Instant pot?
Paweł says
Slowcooker newbie here. Got kinda tired of all the BBQ recipes and thankfully youtube recommended me your video. Just made it with Saclas reduced fat pesto, used a bit more chicken and cheese and it came out absolutely delicious 🙂
Yeah mozz clumps with pasta, but I actually like it that way.
Thank you for the recipe, ill definitely try more of yours!
thomas says
i have a 3 to a 4 qt slow cooker, what should i do to adjust the ingredients.
Sarah Olson says
You will probably have to cut the recipe in half.
Nick says
Love this Pesto Chicken recipe! Its awesome, easy, delicious and pretty cheap!
Rachel says
Can this be done on high of I’m short on time?
Sarah Olson says
Yes, should do fine.
Kathy says
I love this recipe. I added mushrooms to it and have made it several times !
Anonymous says
When did you add the mushrooms? At the end?