Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Why this chicken pesto pasta recipe works

Creamy chicken pesto pasta is a recipe that creates juicy chicken that’s fork tender and easy to shred apart. In addition, the other ingredients are considered pantry staples that require no prep and are packed with lots of flavors. It’s also a super versatile dish that can easily be added to (see the serving suggestions below).

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for creamy pesto chicken pasta on a table.

Chicken Breasts: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are slowly cooked in a creamy pesto sauce until done and ready for shredding.
Bow-Tie Pasta: Cooked to al dente and added toward the end of cooking time. This pasta is easy to pick up with a fork and goes perfectly with the shredded chicken.
Pesto: The highlight of the recipe is a jar of pesto sauce, which is made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. It’s also seasoned with salt and pepper.
Heavy Cream: This cream is used to help with thickening the sauce base and enriching the chicken pesto pasta.
Cheese: Three different kinds of cheese are used to get the perfectly creamy sauce: mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese.
Seasonings: Salt and pepper and red pepper flakes add a bit more flavor to the pesto chicken.
Cubed Butter: You’ll use about a half cup of salted butter cut into cubes. (Unsalted butter works fine as well.)

Step-by-Step Directions

6 images of how to make pesto pasta in a crockpot.

StepOne – Add chicken to the crock pot, seasonings, pesto, cream cheese, and cubed butter (on top).

StepTwo – Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

StepThree – After cooking, shred each chicken breast with two forks. You don’t have to remove the chicken from the slow cooker unless you prefer more space to work with.

Step Four – Add bow tie pasta cooked al dente, heavy whipping cream, and mozzarella cheese to the slow cooker.

Step Five – Gently stir to combine everything together.

step six – Serve immediately with some suggestions below, and enjoy!

side view of creamy pesto chicken pasta with spoon in it.

Different ways to serve

Creamy pesto chicken pasta can be served as is. Simply scoop a few helpings into a bowl and eat up.
When it comes to finishing it with a topping or two, try it with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese and a dash of red pepper flakes.
You can also add a scoop or two over a bed of fresh spinach or rice.
Don’t forget the garlic bread or garlic sticks and a fresh green salad with dressing.

Recipe FAQs

What can I add to this recipe to make it more hearty?

Fresh spinach, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes (or sun dried tomatoes), frozen peas, and diced yellow onions are additions that can be thrown in with the pasta and cheese.

Are there other pasta types you recommend since this is a pasta dish?

Although I used bow ties, you can switch it up with penne pasta, rigatoni, or even spaghetti noodles. You can also use your favorite gluten free pasta. You’ll want to ensure the pasta cooks evenly but is not overdone.

Can I use a homemade pesto?

Of course! If you have some on hand, throw it in instead of the storebought kind.

How do I store leftovers?

Add any remaining pesto chicken pasta into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, add to a skillet over medium heat. You may add more liquid (olive oil or chicken stock will work) to recreate the creamy sauce.