• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

By Kelsey Smith logo

  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » 5 Ingredients or Less

    Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken Breasts

    Published: May 26, 2013 · Modified: Oct 29, 2021 by Kelsey Smith

    87 shares
    • Facebook
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe

    Dump-and-go with this quick, easy recipe using jarred pesto and ranch dressing mix.

    I have made Tex Mex Chicken three times, Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken twice and I even turned my Buffalo Chicken recipe into a macaroni and cheese dish.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pesto Ranch Chicken with a side salad.

    Equipment

    The slow cooker is so brilliant because you really just toss a bunch of things into it, and your meal is magically ready 6 hours later. I see recipes all the time that require stovetop prep for a slow cooker recipe, like sautéing onions or what have you, and I'm inclined to say NO THANK YOU.

    I use the 6-quart Cook & Carry Crock-Pot.

    Why you will love this recipe

    Recently, I found a recipe for Pesto Ranch Crockpot Chicken Thighs on Picky Palate. Yes, please! Normally I pin recipes and forget about them, but with this one, I had to make it right away.

    This recipe is a beautiful thing because not only is it a dump-everything-in kind of deal, but it only calls for 4 ingredients.

    Ingredients

    This version of the recipe uses chicken breasts.

    • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • Pesto
    • Ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix
    • Chicken broth

    I've never really cooked with pesto for Xavier because he's generally not a fan of anything green on principle alone, but I am very proud to say that this recipe is Manchild Approved. AND Kelsey approved, needless to say.

    Substitutions

    • Chicken: If you want to use chicken thighs, head to the original recipe at Picky Palate.
    • Pesto: You can use homemade pesto in place of the jarred Pesto. The recipe calls for a 6.5 oz jar of pesto for reference.
    • Ranch: Dry ranch salad mix is important, do not substitute liquid ranch. Store brand is tasty.
    • Chicken both: Water can be used in place of the chicken broth. It's a small amount of liquid, so other adjustments aren't necessary.

    To serve

    Serve this alongside fresh veggies or shred the leftover pesto ranch chicken for salad meat or sandwich meat. I used this in my salads all week, which definitely kicked my lunch up a notch.

    📖 Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken
    Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Email Print

    Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken

    Dump-and-go with this quick, easy recipe using jarred pesto and ranch dressing mix.
    5 from 1 vote
    Recipe by: Kelsey Smith
    Prep time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook time: 6 hours hours
    Total time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6

    Equipment

    • Slow cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts about 6 breasts
    • ½ cup chicken broth
    • 1 oz ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix one envelope
    • 6.5 oz pesto

    Instructions
     

    • Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour chicken broth over chicken. Sprinkle evenly with ranch mix. Top with pesto.
    • Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 4–6 hours. Serve with fresh veggies or shred for salad meat.

    Notes

    Nutrition was estimated using MyFitnessPal. 11g fat, 5g carbs, 54g protein.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 352kcal
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: chicken, slow cooker
    Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!

    More chicken breast recipes

    Next, try my Tex-Mex Shredded Chicken slow cooker recipe.

    Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken BreastsSlow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken Breasts

    More 5 Ingredients or Less

    • Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream with a cherry on top
      Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream
    • Ninja Creami Oreo Protein Ice Cream
      Ninja Creami Oreo Protein Ice Cream
    • Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream
      Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream
    • Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
      Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing comfort food recipes.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Kelsey Smith

    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole
      Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole
    • Blueberry banana spinach smoothie in a 16 ounce cup. There is a second smoothie off to the side.
      Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
    • Nutella overnight oats in a mason jar topped with strawberries, Nutella, and hazelnuts.
      Nutella Overnight Oats
    • Rotel chicken spaghetti being scooped out of a baking dish by a wooden spoon.
      Easy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Shop My Amazon Store
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up

    Follow Me

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Facebook Recipe Group

    Copyright © 2023 Kelsey Smith

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok