This slow cooker 3-ingredient pesto chicken packets recipe is exactly what my best friend made for one of our girls’ nights in. We wanted something that felt special but didn’t require hovering over the stove, and this was perfect. You literally wrap chicken with pesto and a little olive oil in foil, tuck the packets into the slow cooker, and walk away. When you lift the lid at the end, the aroma of garlicky basil pesto and juicy chicken is absolutely mouthwatering. It’s a great weeknight dinner or low-effort entertaining option when you want real food with almost no prep or cleanup.Food
Serve the pesto chicken straight from the foil packets over cooked pasta, rice, or cauliflower rice to soak up all those herby juices. A simple green salad or steamed green beans on the side keeps things light, or you can add garlic bread if you want something more comforting. For a girls’ night vibe, I like to set out a bowl of cherry tomatoes and a little grated Parmesan so everyone can dress up their own plate. A crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon pairs really well with the bright basil flavors.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient Pesto Chicken Packets
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 medium breasts)
1 cup prepared basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Tear off 4 large sheets of aluminum foil, each big enough to fully wrap one chicken breast into a sealed packet. Lightly crimp up the edges of each sheet a bit so the pesto doesn’t run right off while you’re assembling.
Place one chicken breast in the center of each foil sheet. If a breast is very thick on one end, you can gently pound it to an even thickness or slice it in half lengthwise so it cooks evenly.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of pesto directly over each piece of chicken, spreading it to coat the top and sides. Don’t worry about being too precise; you just want the chicken nicely covered so it stays moist and flavorful.