Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the irresistible aroma of tender, juicy chicken infused with zesty lemon and rich, herbaceous pesto. This Slow Cooker Lemon Pesto Chicken is not just a meal – it's a culinary escape that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into a gourmet experience with minimal effort. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a dish that looks and tastes like it took hours to prepare, but actually requires just minutes of prep time!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the pesto, fresh lemon juice, and chicken broth until well combined.
- Pour the pesto-lemon mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to cook on LOW heat for 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker using tongs.
- Optional: For a more golden appearance, briefly broil the chicken in the oven for 2-3 minutes.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot, spooning any remaining sauce from the slow cooker over the chicken.
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect flavor absorption and prevent excess moisture.
- Use high-quality pesto for the most robust flavor – homemade or premium store-bought varieties work best.
- For extra tenderness, avoid overcooking. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- If you want a more golden, slightly crispy exterior, don't skip the optional broiling step – it adds a beautiful finish to the dish.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is incredibly moist and flavorful.
- Experiment with different types of pesto (sun-dried tomato, spinach, or traditional basil) to create unique flavor variations.
- For meal prep, this chicken freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it a perfect make-ahead dinner option.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 105mg
