Juicy 4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken in the crockpot with a simple ranch seasoning and pesto sauce! Tons of flavor, SO easy, made with just a few ingredients packed full of flavor!
Once upon a time I made the world’s easiest, best tasting 5-minute homemade pesto.
And they all lived happily ever after.
I tasted pesto for the first time about 6 years ago when I was visiting my brother in California. We ate a the most incredible half-restaurant-half-vintage-bookstore out on the back patio where big bulby strung lights make you feel like you are in love – regardless of your relationship status.
I ordered a pesto sandwich – don’t even remember what else was on it – just know there was pesto and bread and I fell head over heels for that green stuff.
Over the past few years I’ve made several varieties of homemade pesto. Spinach-arugula, pine-nut basil, walnut pesto, lemon-garlic pesto…. my 5-minute version is my go-to. Sometimes I switch things up with one or two of the ingredients but it always tastes SO amazing that I can’t bring myself to buy store-bought pesto anymore.
Would you believe me if I told you I sneak a few bites straight from the jar from time to time?
Believe it.
As you can see, I’m a fan of the pesto stuff. But last week I threw together this slow cooker pesto ranch chicken and ohmagosh. so good. And EASY. Honest to goodness it takes all of 4 minutes to put this stuff in the crockpot and turn it on. Come back a few hours later, give it a little stir and voila. Pesto-y, ranch-y, tender juicy chicken.
Ohhhhh and it only has 4 ingredients.
5 if you count water but really…. who counts water?
What people are saying about this 4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken
“I always hated to cook and thus never did it much. My husband made most of our meals even though it would make me feel good to cook for him when I did it. Then I discovered your blog. Your recipes are easy to follow, creative, and delicious. I feel more confident cooking because everything is so simple, and every one of your recipes I have tried has turned out phenomenally. My husband really appreciates that we are sharing the cooking responsibilities more and gives rave reviews of everything I have made from your blog. This pesto ranch chicken was my latest attempt and we both loved it! Thanks for doing what you do. It makes me really happy to be cooking more for my husband and I credit your blog with that!” – Ashley
“This was amazing and so easy to make! I used white wine instead of water:) served on a bed of sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes. So yummy!! Thanks for the recipe!!” – Susan
“I tried it last night as you suggested above, by using 1/3 cup ranch dressing with a jar of pesto I had, mixed together with 1/2 cup of water (could have probably used even a 1/4), baked it in the oven covered for about 35 mins on 375. Boiled some penne pasta with some frozen mixed veg thrown in while cooking and served it with the chicken and sauce spooned over it, and a sprinkle of grated parmesan on top. It was fantastic, husband licked plate :)). I will definitely try with fresh pesto next time! Thanks for a great recipe :))” – Tara
4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing seasoning mix - (just the dry mix)
- 1 cup pesto - (1 jar of store-bought OR click [url:1]HERE[/url] for my super easy 5-minute homemade pesto!)
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch seasoning over chicken.
- In a small bowl whisk together pesto and 1/2 cup water and pour over chicken. (Water isn’t in the ingredient list because, well, it’s water…)
- Cover and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low. About 15 minutes before serving, stir the sauce and chicken to coat well. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the chicken – cover and allow to melt for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!
Nutrition
5-Minute Homemade Pesto & 15 Ways to Use It!
I always hated to cook and thus never did it much. My husband made most of our meals even though it would make me feel good to cook for him when I did it. Then I discovered your blog. Your recipes are easy to follow, creative, and delicious. I feel more confident cooking because everything is so simple, and every one of your recipes I have tried has turned out phenomenally. My husband really appreciates that we are sharing the cooking responsibilities more and gives rave reviews of everything I have made from your blog. This pesto ranch chicken was my latest attempt and we both loved it! Thanks for doing what you do. It makes me really happy to be cooking more for my husband and I credit your blog with that!
Ashley your comment just made my day!! I honestly love coming up with new recipes and get so excited to share each one with everyone I possibly can. Easy, delicious recipes just make a world of difference in your home and kitchen and it’s always so great to find a place you feel like you can rely on for trusty new flavor inspiration. Thanks so much for your sweet words and for supporting me and my blog!!! 🙂
Can I use chicken stock instead of water?
Yes! I’d recommend low sodium chicken stock.
Hi Tiffany,
I don’t have a slow cooker, and it always made me sad to skip over your slow cooker recipes because they all look so lovely. Today I finally caved and ordered one. Yay!
So I’ve been looking through your blog again, picking out all the recipes I want to try with it. Since I share your passion for pesto, this is the one I’d like to give a go first. Unfortunately, we don’t have ranch dressing seasoning mix here in Germany though. Any ideas how I could mix it together myself? Or are there any alternatives you think would work?
Hi Jen! It’s about time you got a slow cooker – I use mine allll the time you will love it!! You can definitely make your own ranch seasoning mix, this version from my friend Ali is awesome! —> http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/homemade-ranch-seasoning-mix/
Great, thank you so much! Cant’t wait to try it 🙂
I’m about to try this for the first time today. It looks delicious! The only issue I have is that I have ranch dip powder mix. Would you still recommend the whole package of that? I’m not sure if it is stronger than the dressing mix or not. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
Hi Michelle! You know, I haven’t tried it with the dip mix so I’m not sure how it will affect the end result… if you love ranch flavor then you might be okay just adding the whole thing. If you’re nervous about it you could always start with less than the whole package and add more at the very end!
Trying this with steak instead. Was served pesto steak at a restaurant and have been hooked ever since. Also, just tried my first steak crockpot recipe and it came out great so going to give this a try
Isn’t pesto so addicting?? I love it!