If you’re craving a rich, creamy, and cheesy pasta dish, look no further than this Slowcooker Pesto & Mozzarella Chicken Pasta! The slow cooker does most of the work, making this recipe perfect for busy days. With succulent chicken, flavorful pesto, fresh mozzarella, and a dash of lemon for zing, you’re in for a treat. It’s easy, delicious, and a hit with the whole family.

Method in Detail

Prep the Chicken

Start by placing the chicken breasts into your slow cooker. Add 4 tablespoons of pesto sauce to the chicken along with the freshly minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. These ingredients work together to create a delicious, flavorful base for the chicken. Once everything is added, cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on high for about 2 hours, or on low for 4 to 5 hours. The chicken should become tender and fully cooked, making it easy to shred or break apart with a fork. The slow cooking will also allow the flavors from the pesto, garlic, and lemon to soak into the chicken, creating a mouthwatering aroma.

Add the Pasta

Once your chicken is cooked and tender, it’s time to add the dry pasta and chicken stock to the slow cooker. Stir everything together so that the pasta is evenly coated in the pesto mixture and submerged in the stock. This step helps the pasta soak up all the delicious flavors as it cooks. Now, cover the slow cooker again and let the pasta cook on high for 40 minutes. The stock and pesto will cook the pasta, making it tender and perfectly infused with flavor. Be sure to stir the mixture halfway through to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Finish with Creamy Goodness

After the pasta has cooked, it’s time to make the dish even more decadent. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of Philadelphia light cream cheese, which will add a rich and creamy texture to the dish. As you stir it in, the cream cheese will melt and combine with the pesto and chicken stock, creating a velvety sauce that coats the pasta. This step is key to achieving the creamy consistency that makes this dish so indulgent.

Top with Mozzarella

The final step is to add the mozzarella cheese. Once everything is stirred together and the cream cheese has fully blended in, sprinkle 100g of light mozzarella on top of the pasta. For a melting, bubbly effect, you have two options: you can allow the slow cooker to finish cooking and let the cheese melt in there, or for a golden, crispy finish, remove the slow cooker insert and place it under the grill (broiler) in your oven for about 8 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure the cheese doesn’t burn, but let it get golden brown and crispy for the best texture and flavor.

Once the mozzarella has melted and the top is bubbly, garnish your dish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor. The result is a deliciously creamy, cheesy pesto pasta with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta!

Necessary Tools

Slow cooker
Sharp knife and cutting board
Measuring spoons
Stirring spoon
Grater (for mozzarella)
Oven (optional, for crisping cheese under the grill)

Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Pasta: A Creamy, Cheesy Delight!

Recipe by Simon Davies

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hours

Total time

hours

minutes

Ingredients

3-4 chicken breasts
4 tbsp pesto + extra for topping
Garlic (3-4 cloves, or to taste)
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper (to taste)
100g light mozzarella
350g dry pasta
500ml chicken stock
Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
1-2 tbsp Philadelphia light cream cheese

Directions

Prep the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in your slow cooker. Add the pesto, garlic, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Set the slow cooker to cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Add the Pasta: After the chicken is cooked, stir in the dry pasta and the chicken stock. Let it cook on high for another 40 minutes until the pasta is tender.
Finish with Creamy Goodness: Stir in the Philadelphia light cream cheese for extra creaminess and flavor.
Top with Mozzarella: Add a generous amount of mozzarella on top and either melt it in the slow cooker or pop the pot under the grill for 8 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

Pasta Cooking: Make sure the pasta is completely covered with stock and pesto to ensure even cooking. Stir halfway through to avoid sticking.
Grilling the Mozzarella: If you use the grill to crisp the cheese, watch it closely to avoid burning. Keep the pot uncovered to let the heat melt the cheese without drying out the pasta.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this creamy pesto pasta with a fresh side salad or some steamed vegetables to balance the richness of the dish. You could also serve it with a warm, crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce. If you like a little kick, add some red pepper flakes on top!

Fun Fact

Did you know that pesto originated in Italy, specifically in Genoa, and the word “pesto” comes from the Italian word “pestare,” which means “to pound” or “to crush”? Traditionally, it was made with a mortar and pestle, but now it’s much easier with a jar of pesto!

Conclusion

This Slowcooker Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Pasta is a real winner. It’s not only easy to make but also packed with flavor, making it a perfect dinner for any night of the week. With the slow cooker doing most of the work, you can sit back and relax while the creamy, cheesy goodness comes together. Enjoy this delightful dish, and be sure to add your own twist with different herbs or extra toppings!