Crockpot Chicken Pesto Pasta – Easy, Creamy & Flavor-Packed Slow Cooker Recipe

Some nights, I just cannot deal with dinner. The kids are running wild, the laundry’s still sitting in the dryer from two days ago, and the last thing I wanna do is stand over a stove. That’s exactly why I love this Crockpot Pesto Chicken Pasta. It’s one of those set-it-and-forget-it crockpot dinners that saves my sanity on busy nights. Plus, it’s got all the good stuff—tender slow-cooked chicken, creamy pesto Alfredo sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese. Seriously, if you love a good chicken pasta dinner, this is the one.

I’ve tried a lot of crock pot pasta recipes, but this chicken pesto crockpot version is one of my family’s favorites. The slow-cooked chicken gets ridiculously tender, soaking up all that basil pesto goodness, and when you mix in the pasta with a little extra cheese? Chef’s kiss. It’s kinda like a pesto Alfredo chicken pasta crockpot mashup, and honestly, I am not mad about it.

And the best part? It’s stupidly easy. No complicated steps, no fancy ingredients—just a few simple things tossed into the crockpot. If you’re looking for pesto chicken crockpot recipes that require almost no effort but still taste like you actually tried, this is it. Keep reading for all the details, because I promise, this one’s gonna be a regular on your dinner menu.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Minimal effort – Just dump everything in the crockpot, and let it do its thing.
• Packed with flavor – Basil pesto, melty cheese, and garlic make it next-level good.
• Kid-approved – No weird ingredients, just creamy, cheesy pasta.
• Great for leftovers – If there are any, which is rare in my house.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 jar (6-7 oz) basil pesto – Get a good one because the pesto makes all the difference.
• 1 cup heavy cream – Or use half-and-half if you want to lighten it up.
• 1 cup chicken broth – Adds flavor and keeps the chicken juicy.
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 box (16 oz) pasta – Penne, rotini, or fettuccine work great.
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Optional: Cherry tomatoes, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor

How to Make Crockpot Chicken Pesto Pasta

Step 1: Dump Everything in the Crockpot

Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot. Pour in the pesto, heavy cream, chicken broth, and all the seasonings. Give it a little stir so everything gets mixed.

Cover and cook on:

• Low for 4-6 hours or High for 2-3 hours
• The chicken should be fully cooked and shred easily.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken and Add the Cheese

Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it directly in the crockpot. No need to take it out—just shred and mix it into the sauce.

Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until everything is melted and creamy.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

While the chicken and sauce are coming together, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and add it straight into the crockpot. Stir everything together until the pasta is completely coated in the pesto sauce.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Dinner is ready. Top with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if you want to make it look fancy. Serve it with garlic bread or a simple salad if you have the energy, but honestly, it’s great on its own.

Recipe Tips and Variations

• Make it extra creamy – Add a little cream cheese or extra heavy cream for a richer sauce.
• Add veggies – Cherry tomatoes, spinach, or roasted red peppers give it extra flavor.
• Short on time? – Use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken. Just shred it and let it warm in the sauce for 30 minutes.
• Want it spicier? – A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a little heat.
• Gluten-free? – Swap the pasta for your favorite gluten-free brand.

Leftovers and Storage

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to keep it from drying out.

FAQs for Crockpot Chicken Pesto Pasta

Crockpot Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe Card

Crockpot Chicken Pesto Pasta

This Crockpot Chicken Pesto Pasta is the ultimate easy dinner! Juicy slow-cooked chicken simmers in a creamy pesto Alfredo sauce, then gets mixed with tender pasta and melty cheese. It’s flavor-packed, kid-approved, and perfect for busy nights when you need a no-fuss meal.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Servings: 6

Author: Fareeha

Equipment

• 6 Quart Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 jar 6-7 oz basil pesto
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 box fettuccine pasta 16 oz pasta (penne, rotini, can be used too)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• Optional: Cherry tomatoes, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes

Instructions

• Add Ingredients to Crockpot – Place chicken breasts in the crockpot. Pour in pesto, heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Slow Cook the Chicken – Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
• Shred the Chicken and Add Cheese – Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted and creamy.
• Cook Pasta Separately- Boil pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add it to the crockpot, stirring to coat it in the sauce.
• Serve and Enjoy – Top with extra Parmesan and serve warm.

Notes

Storage and Reheating:

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days.
• Reheat: Add a splash of milk or broth and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
• Freeze: The cooked pesto chicken and sauce can be frozen for up to three months. Add fresh pasta when serving.

 

And that’s it—dinner done with almost no effort. This Chicken Pesto Crockpot recipe is one of those lifesavers I keep coming back to because it’s just so easy. The slow-cooked chicken turns out crazy tender, the pesto Alfredo sauce is rich and creamy, and let’s be real—cheese chicken and pasta is always a win. If you’re looking for Crockpot Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipes Easy, this one checks all the boxes.

It’s the perfect chicken pasta dinner for busy nights when you don’t have the time (or energy) to cook but still want something homemade. My kids devour it, which is saying something because anything remotely green usually gets the side-eye from them. Whether you call it Pesto Alfredo Chicken Pasta Crockpot, Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken Pasta, or just your new favorite dinner, I promise it’ll be a keeper.

So next time you need an easy crockpot dinner, give this Crockpot Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta a try. And if you do, let me know—did your family love it as much as mine?