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Slow Cooker Alfredo Pesto Chicken and Pasta

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5 hours 8 minutes
21 Comments
3.50 from 2 votes
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Easy Slow Cooker Pesto Alfredo Chicken and Pasta is one of the BEST crock pot recipes - just dump it all together and let the slow cooker do it's magic! Creamy, flavorful, and delicious - perfect for a busy weeknight.
Slow Cooker Alfredo Pesto Chicken and Pasta

Anyone else out there love their slow cooker? I think that out of all my sisters, I have shared the most slow cooker recipes on our website (I think I am up to like 150 slow cooker recipes)!

On busy days when I know our schedule is going to be crazy, I love being able to throw something in the slow cooker in the morning and then dinner is ready and waiting when we need it.

This Slow Cooker Pesto Alfredo Chicken is one of my family’s favorites and I know that you will love it too.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Alfredo Pesto Chicken and Pasta

Ingredient Notes

  • chicken breasts (I used frozen chicken breasts; chicken thighs would also work)
  • jar of alfredo sauce
  • jar of prepared basil pesto
  • can of diced tomatoes
  • box of your favorite pasta (I used penne pasta, but any pasta will work)
  • fresh shredded Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and fresh tomatoes for garnish (optional)

How to make Slow Cooker Alfredo Pesto Chicken and Pasta

Chicken tomatoes and pesto in slow cooker

This dish is one of my favorites because it’s a simple dump-and-go recipe.

  1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Dump jar of alfredo sauce, jar of pesto, and can of tomatoes (undrained) on top of chicken.
  4. Cook on low heat for 5-6 hours (or high heat for 3-4 hours) or until chicken is cooked through.
  5. Near the end of the cooking time, cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain well.
  6. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using 2 forks (it should come apart fairly easy).
  7. Add the chicken and pasta back to slow cooker and mix together.
  8. Serve topped with fresh Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and fresh diced tomatoes (if desired; totally optional).
Slow Cooker Alfredo Pesto Chicken and Pasta on a white dinner plate topped with tomatoes and cheese

Storing and Other Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

This recipe can easily be made in the Instant Pot – the only difference is that you are going to want to add some chicken broth into the pot (because you can cook the pasta with it!):

  1. Add pasta, 5 cups chicken broth and chicken breasts to Instant Pot.
  2. Make sure that all pasta is covered with chicken broth.
  3. Cook on MANUAL for 6 minutes, then allow for a natural pressure release for 6 minutes before moving the valve over to VENTING.
  4. Remove lid and then remove chicken from Instant pot and shred with two forks.
  5. Add in the shredded chicken, jar of diced tomatoes, jar of alfredo sauce, and jar of pesto.
  6. Turn the Instant Pot to SAUTE and cook until sauce is bubbly.
  7. Turn off the Instant Pot and serve, topping with your favorite garnishes.

Serving Suggestions

A plate of Slow Cooker Alfredo Pesto Chicken and Pasta

Slow Cooker Alfredo Pesto Chicken and Pasta

3.50 from 2 votes
Easy Slow Cooker Pesto Alfredo Chicken and Pasta is one of the BEST crock pot recipes – just dump it all together and let the slow cooker do it's magic!
Serving8 servings
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 8 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 15 ounces alfredo sauce, 1 jar
  • ½ cup prepared basil pesto
  • 2  (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 16 ounces penne pasta, 1 package, or your favorite pasta
  • ½ cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese, optional topping
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped basil, optional topping
  • 2 tomatoes, diced, optional topping

Equipment

Instructions

  1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Pour Alfredo sauce, pesto, and tomatoes (undrained) on top of chicken.
  4. Cook on low heat for 5-6 hours (or high heat for 3-4 hours) or until chicken is cooked through.
  5. Near the end of the cooking time, cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain well.
  6. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using 2 forks (it should come apart fairly easy).
  7. Add the chicken and pasta back to slow cooker and mix together.
  8. Serve topped with fresh Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and fresh diced tomatoes (optional toppings).

Notes

To make this recipe in the Instant Pot:
  1. Add pasta, 5 cups chicken broth and chicken breasts to Instant Pot.
  2. Make sure that all pasta is covered with chicken broth.
  3. Cook on MANUAL for 6 minutes, then allow for a natural pressure release for 6 minutes before moving the valve over to VENTING.
  4. Remove lid and then remove chicken from Instant pot and shred with two forks.
  5. Add in the shredded chicken, jar of diced tomatoes, jar of alfredo sauce, and jar of pesto.
  6. Turn the Instant Pot to SAUTE and cook until sauce is bubbly.
  7. Turn off the Instant Pot and serve, topping with your favorite garnishes.

Nutrition

Calories: 497 kcal · Carbohydrates: 51 g · Protein: 28 g · Fat: 19 g · Saturated Fat: 7 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 87 mg · Sodium: 832 mg · Potassium: 663 mg · Fiber: 3 g · Sugar: 6 g · Vitamin A: 790 IU · Vitamin C: 15 mg · Calcium: 146 mg · Iron: 2 mg
Cuisine: American
Cost: $15
Author: Steph Loaiza
Course: Main Course
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Published: July 26, 2021Updated: July 23, 2024

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Questions & Reviews

  1. Susan A says:
    Hi. I can't tell if you are using cooked frozen chicken breasts or uncooked. Please advise, Thanks. Susan
  2. Cyd says:
    We often use frozen chicken breasts, but thawed works great too.
  3. Karen Hilliard says:
    This looks so delicious, I’m definetly going to be making this this week!!!
  4. Nicole says:
    Hi! Can you tell me approximately how much is in one serving!
  5. Cyd says:
    The servings for this recipe can totally vary depending on how large of a serving someone takes. With a 16 ounce package of pasta and 5 chicken breasts, it will easily feed 8 people with generous size portions.
  6. Tayna says:
    Do you have a favorite alfredo pasta sauce?
  7. Cyd says:
    We often buy whatever is on sale. But Bertolli is pretty good.
  8. Dani Eaton says:
    Would it work if I cut this recipe half?
  9. Cyd says:
    It should work fine. Be sure to check often in case it needs less cooking time.
  10. Brenda says:
    Can I cook the pasta in the crockpot with the chicken and other ingredients?
  11. Cyd says:
    I'm sure you could. We have not made this recipe adding the pasta to the slow cooker. So we can't give you exact directions.
  12. Karlee Thomsen says:
    Does 497 kcal mean that this meal is 62,125 calories per serving?
  13. Momma Cyd says:
    No, it means that it's 497 calories per serving.
  14. Brandi K says:
    This wasn’t a good as I was hoping it would be. Pretty bland, we had to add extra cheese on top to add some falvor. We liked it, but don’t think I will make it again.
  15. Mary K says:
    Making this tonight, the description of the recipe calls for one can of diced tomatoes, along with the picture of all the ingredients… but the printable recipe calls for 2 cans. Do you use one or two cans for this recipe? Thanks.
  16. Momma Cyd says:
    Either will work just fine. We have done it with both.
  17. Ashley says:
    How would you convert this recipe to IP?
  19. MARLO ANN says:
    yum! so easy and perfect! I used the instant pot method and wow loved the way it turned out!! so easy and clean up is a breeze! great for when in a time pinch! thanks for sharing

    5 stars

  20. Wife of a Nerd says:
    It turned out runny not creamy which was disappointing. I believe I did all the steps correctly, but was it I dumped the entire can of diced tomatoes in? Should I have drained it?

    2 stars

  21. Camille Beckstrand says:
    Did you make it in the slow cooker or the Instant Pot? If you made it in the Instant Pot, you will want to make sure that you saute it until the sauce is bubbly and starts to thicken. If you made it in the slow cooker, it should thicken up after adding the pasta - it will thicken as it cools down. I usually don't drain the tomatoes if I cook it in the slow cooker and haven't had a problem, but you definitely could drain them if yours was runny. I am sorry that it didn't turn out as you had hoped!
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