Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken With Vegetables Food

SLOW-COOKER PESTO CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Spray slow cooker lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. Nestle chicken thighs in slow cooker in even layer; they may be arranged tightly, if necessary.
• In small bowl, stir pesto and chicken broth. Pour over chicken thighs, and spread evenly with spoon.
• Cover and cook on High heat setting 4 hours. Serve immediately using one or both of the ideas below, or cool slightly and refrigerate in an airtight container for a few days until ready to use.
• Bruschetta-Topped Chicken: In medium bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes, 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Let stand 10 minutes for flavors to blend. Spoon over 1/2 recipe hot Slow-Cooker Pesto Chicken Thighs, and serve with rice or pasta as desired. (To use the entire recipe of chicken thighs, double these ingredient amounts.)
• Bacon Ranch Pasta and Chicken: Cook and drain 1/2 lb pasta (a short variety) as directed on package. Toss hot pasta with 1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend, 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled and 1/2 recipe Slow-Cooker Pesto Chicken Thighs, shredded. Top with a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil leaves, if desired. Serve warm. (To use the entire recipe of chicken thighs, double these ingredient amounts.)

SLOW-COOKER PESTO CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In 6-quart oval slow cooker, place onion slices and cubed potatoes.
• Remove chicken from packaging; remove and discard giblets. Rinse chicken; pat dry. Rub pesto all over chicken including inside cavity. Place chicken over vegetables in slow cooker, leaving 1-inch space around chicken.
• Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 hours. Do not remove lid before 6 hours.
• After 6 hours, add tomatoes, zucchini and olives to slow cooker. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 30 minutes to 1 hour longer or until zucchini is tender and instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken thigh muscle and not touching bone reads at least 165°F (legs should move easily when lifted or twisted).
• Set oven control to broil. Carefully transfer chicken to roasting pan. Broil 5 minutes or until skin is golden brown and crisp. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving with vegetables.

SLOW COOKER CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN AND PASTA

Steps:

• Place chicken in a slow cooker on High power. Add broth and water to cover. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and cook until chicken is no longer pink inside, about 3 hours.
• Remove chicken from slow cooker, shred using a fork, and return meat to the pot. Add 1 cup cream and entire jar of pesto.
• Cook on High 1 more hour.
• Add remaining cream, egg noodles, and 3/4 of the grated Parmesan-Romano-Asiago cheese to the slow cooker. Add milk.
• Cook on High until noodles are cooked, about 1 hour more. Add extra milk for a thinner sauce. Top with remaining Parmesan-Romano-Asiago cheese.

SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN BREASTS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except chicken, paprika and black pepper in slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray; top with chicken.
• Combine paprika and black pepper; sprinkle over chicken. Cover with lid.
• Cook on LOW 8 to 9 hours (or on HIGH 4 to 4-1/2 hours).