4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken
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Juicy 4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken in the crockpot with a simple ranch seasoning and pesto sauce! Tons of flavor, SO easy, made with just a few ingredients packed full of flavor!
Click on my Creamy Pesto Chicken, Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, or Pesto Chicken Sandwiches for those pesto lovers!
Once upon a time I made the world’s easiest, best tasting Pesto Sauce.
And they all lived happily ever after.
I tasted pesto for the first time about 6 years ago when I was visiting my brother in California. We ate a the most incredible half-restaurant-half-vintage-bookstore out on the back patio where big bulby strung lights make you feel like you are in love – regardless of your relationship status.
I ordered a pesto sandwich – don’t even remember what else was on it – just know there was pesto and bread and I fell head over heels for that green stuff.
Over the past few years I’ve made several varieties of homemade pesto. Spinach-arugula, pine-nut basil, walnut pesto, lemon-garlic pesto…. my 5-minute version is my go-to. Sometimes I switch things up with one or two of the ingredients but it always tastes SO amazing that I can’t bring myself to buy store-bought pesto anymore.
Would you believe me if I told you I sneak a few bites straight from the jar from time to time?
Believe it.
As you can see, I’m a fan of the pesto stuff. But last week I threw together this slow cooker pesto ranch chicken and ohmagosh. so good. And EASY. Honest to goodness it takes all of 4 minutes to put this stuff in the crockpot and turn it on. Come back a few hours later, give it a little stir and voila. Pesto-y, ranch-y, tender juicy chicken.
Ohhhhh and it only has 4 ingredients.
5 if you count water but really…. who counts water?
More Recipes to Try
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Lasagna Rolls – Tender lasagna noodles rolled up with cheesy shredded chicken and baked under a velvety, scratch-made creamy pesto sauce.
- Creamy Pesto Parmesan Chicken – A 30-minute one-pan dinner featuring golden chicken breasts, tender mushrooms, and a rich garlic-parmesan pesto cream sauce.
- Pesto Pasta Salad – A fresh, bright 20-minute pasta salad tossed with shredded chicken, cherry tomatoes, fresh baby spinach, and a zesty basil pesto dressing.
When you make this recipe, snap a photo and tag me on social – I love connecting with you and seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing seasoning mix , (just the dry mix)
- 1 cup pesto , (1 jar of store-bought OR click [url:1]HERE[/url] for my super easy 5-minute homemade pesto!)
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch seasoning over chicken.
- In a small bowl whisk together pesto and 1/2 cup water and pour over chicken. (Water isn’t in the ingredient list because, well, it’s water…)
- Cover and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low. About 15 minutes before serving, stir the sauce and chicken to coat well. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the chicken – cover and allow to melt for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Super easy weeknight recipe! I have it over rice pilaf. (Pro tip: If you chop up the leftover chicken and add some mayo, it makes an AMAZING chicken salad. I actually enjoy the chicken salad sandwich more than the original chicken!)
Can this be done in the Insta Pot?
I’m sure it’s possible! I have not tried it though 🙂
Wonderful recipe but as I do with all chicken recipes that call for water, I replace with chicken broth, makes it taste so much better.This Is an easy and delicious way to make pesto chicken!! Husband loved it!
So happy to hear that! Thanks, Dana!
If i want to Use two chicken breasts, should i cut down the cooking time?
No, it should be fine!
I’m sure it’s a great recipe but you have so much clutter on your page I can’t find it
That’s rather unfair of you to rate the recipe if you didn’t even make it. There is a button clearly marked at the top that says “Jump to Recipe”. You should remove your rating.
I make this recipe regularly and it is a crow pleaser! I serve it shredded because the chicken falls apart. Its so tender and flavorful! It is a great entree for a crowd because it’s so easy to prepare.
this was amazing and so easy to make! I used white wine instead of water:) served on a bed of sauted mushrooms and tomatoes. so yummy!! thanks for the recipe!!
Holy smokes- you had me at sautéed mushrooms! Sounds so delicious. Thanks for sharing, Susan!
Hi – I’d like to add French beans to the slow cooker for this recipe – do I put them in right away with the chicken or should I wait until it’s partially cooked? I always use my slow cooker on the low setting also. Thanks!
Could you use cubed chicken and would the cooking time change?
I’ve never cooked with pesto and all I could find at the store was a 3.5 oz jar of Alessi pesto…they don’t sell anything larger. How do you get an entire cup? Should I have gotten multiple jars or is it concentrated somehow?
Hi Laura, You could get multiple jars or you could make my super easy homemade version!(I like it better than any store-bought version I’ve tried!) One batch would give you enough for this dish! Here’s where to find it —> https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/easy-5-minute-pesto-15-ways-to-use-it/
Hope it’s ok that I ask this! Can you put in the breasts frozen or should they be thawed? Thanks!