Some recipes earn a permanent place in the warm-weather supper rotation simply because they ask so little and give back so much, and this slow cooker 3-ingredient creamy pesto chicken is one of those dependable dishes. It has the kind of easy charm so many Midwestern home cooks appreciate: a few pantry and refrigerator staples, a crock set on low, and by dinnertime you’ve got tender chicken in a rich, herby sauce that tastes like you fussed far more than you did. It’s the sort of supper that feels right at home on a busy summer day when the kitchen ought to stay cool and supper still needs to be hearty.
This chicken is especially good spooned over hot buttered noodles, fluffy rice, or mashed potatoes to catch every bit of that creamy pesto sauce. For a lighter plate, serve it with steamed green beans, roasted zucchini, a crisp garden salad, or thick slices of summer tomato. If you’re feeding a crowd, a basket of crusty bread and a bowl of fresh fruit round it out nicely.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Creamy Pesto Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 cup prepared basil pesto
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray if desired, then lay the chicken breasts in an even layer in the bottom.
2. Spoon the pesto over the chicken, then scatter the cubed cream cheese on top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through.
4. Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker with two forks, then stir well until the sauce is smooth and coats every piece. If the sauce seems too thick, add a small splash of water or broth.
5. Serve hot over noodles, rice, or potatoes, with a spoonful of extra sauce over the top.
Variations & Tips
Use chicken thighs: If you like even richer flavor, boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully here and stay especially juicy in the slow cooker.
Make it stretch farther: This is a fine recipe for serving over pasta or rice when you need to feed a few extra folks. The sauce spreads nicely, so a modest amount of chicken still feels generous.
Add vegetables: A handful of baby spinach stirred in at the end wilts right into the sauce, and sautéed mushrooms or steamed broccoli make this feel like a fuller one-pot supper.
Choose your pesto wisely: Since there are only three ingredients, the flavor of the pesto matters. A good basil pesto with plenty of Parmesan, olive oil, and garlic will give you the best finished dish.
Don’t overcook: Slow cookers can vary quite a bit, so begin checking on the early side. Once the chicken shreds easily, it’s ready, and cooking too much longer can make the sauce separate a bit.