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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Pesto Chicken Thighs

    Published: Apr 2, 2018 · Modified: Mar 22, 2022 by Amanda Mason · 27 Comments

    Yield 6 people
    Cook 4 hours hours
    Prep 5 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe

    I love my meals served layered in a bowl! Sometimes it's just easier to dive into this way! But I also love the versatility and that's exactly what you're getting with these Pesto Chicken Thighs! So many fun ways to eat this dish! Hearty and delish...you'll love these different combos!

    White bowl containing Chicken Pesto Thighs, sliced yams and green beans, blue and white chevron napkin on table.

    These Pesto Chicken Thighs didn't start out being so versatile. Nope - they sure didn't! When I first started making this recipe, I served these Pesto Chicken Thighs over rice. And they were delish and perfect for a quick dinner. But you know...sometimes I like to switch things up a bit. Especially when I have leftovers like green beans, broccoli and sweet potatoes in the refrigerator that I don't want to go to waste.

    But let's clear the air for a minute. There is nothing wrong with serving these Pesto Chicken Thighs over a bed of rice. In fact, it's the only way my son eats this dish. And my daughter likes to eat the Pesto Chicken Thighs over noodles. That's what I mean when I say this recipe is versatile! So many ways to eat these!

    White dish containing Pesto Chicken Thighs on a bed of rice topped with fresh Parmesan and fresh chopped parsley, fork on side of bowl.

    Oh...did I mention that this Pesto Chicken Thighs recipe is a crockpot meal? Another reason to fall in love! Let that crockpot do all the work! Oh...and did I tell you that these Pesto Chicken Thighs make for a great freezer meal? Yep - another win! Not only is this recipe versatile, but it's made in a crockpot and can be frozen to eat at a later time! And I so get it...you're busy! So go ahead and make life easy on yourself by preparing these ahead of time and freeze them for another day!

    White dish containing Pesto Chicken Thighs on a bed of rice topped with fresh Parmesan and fresh chopped parsley, fork in bowl.

    Versatility...let's talk about that for a minute so you understand what I mean when I say it's so versatile.

    You can:

    • Serve these Chicken Pesto Thighs over rice
    • Serve these Chicken Pesto Thighs over noodles
    • Serve these Chicken Pesto Thighs over mashed potatoes (my Homemade Mashed Potatoes are excellent with this dish)
    • Serve these Chicken Pesto Thighs in a bowl over rice with 2 of your favorite vegetables
    • For a low-carb option, skip the rice, noodles and potatoes and serve these Chicken Pesto Thighs on their own with a salad or your favorite vegetable

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    White plate containing Pesto Chicken Thighs served over a bed of rice topped with Parmesan cheese and parsley, serves with sliced yams.

    We're talking 5 different ways to eat this yumminess! It just doesn't get any better than that! Oh...wait, maybe it does! Did I tell you this recipe is gluten-free?  And let's talk nutritional value...you've got the perfect combination of carbs, healthy fat and protein! Balance - another thing that this recipe offers!

    Two serving forks in a white dish containing Pesto Chicken Thighs on a bed of rice topped with fresh Parmesan and fresh chopped parsley.

    Don't forget the convenience factor! Let's talk convenience for a minute because your time is important! It is perfectly fine to buy a store-bought jar of pesto when making this recipe. There are days when I'm in a rush and I need to get out the door and I don't have time to make my homemade Pesto Sauce. So cut yourself some slack and use your favorite jar version of pesto sauce for this dish.

    But if you want to get creative, it's SO easy to make Pesto Sauce! Pesto Sauce is super versatile because it can be made so many ways! Like in this recipe for Walnut Pesto or my Tarragon Basil Pesto.

    Pesto Chicken Thighs, sliced yams and green beans served in a white bowl, blue and white chevron napkin on table.

    Right now, I'm on a bowl kick. I don't know why but I'm really enjoying taking a bunch of my favorite foods and combining them in a bowl. It's a burst of different flavors all at once and it's fabulous!

    Regardless of how you decide to serve these Pesto Chicken Thighs, top them off with some fresh Parmesan cheese and some fresh parsley and you'll have yourself the most amazing dinner! And I guarantee, everyone's going to love this recipe! Happy Eats, friends!

    Chicken Pesto Thighs sitting in a white dish served over white rice topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
    Chicken Pesto Thighs sitting in a white dish served over white rice topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.

    Pesto Chicken Thighs

    I love my meals served layered in a bowl! Sometimes it's just easier to dive into this way! But I also love versatility and that's exactly what you're getting with these Pesto Chicken Thighs! So many fun ways to eat this dish! Hearty and delish...you'll love these different combos! 
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 440kcal
    Author: Amanda Mason

    Ingredients

    • 8 Chicken Thighs, boneless and skinless
    • 6 oz Pesto Sauce
    • 1 packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
    • ½ cup Chicken Broth
    • Parmesan Cheese, (optional)
    • Fresh Chopped Parsley, (optional)

    Instructions

    • Place chicken thighs on the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the pesto, Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix and chicken broth on top of the chicken thighs in the crockpot.
    • Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
    • Place the top on the crock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until an internal meat thermometer registers at 165°F.
    • When done, serve the chicken over rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. Drizzle 2-3 spoonfuls of the pesto sauce mixture over the chick and top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
    • Serve immediately and store any leftovers in the refrigerator. 

    Notes

    Freezer Meal Option
    If you're looking for a good freezer meal, this is a great choice!! Cook according to directions in the crockpot until done. Place cooked Pesto Chicken Thighs in a large Freezer bag or in a freezer safe dish. When you're ready to make this dish, let the baggie or dish soak in water until thawed. Remove from bag and place in a pot on the stove. Heat until warm. Serve over your favorite rice, pasta, mashed potatoes or with your favorite vegetable. 

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 149mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 324mg | Vitamin A: 690IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @RecipesWorthRep or tag #RecipesWorthRepeating!
     
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    470 shares

    About Amanda Mason

    Hi! I'm Amanda, the founder and creator behind Recipes Worth Repeating! Simply put, I focus on creating delicious recipes for everyone. I offer variety. I offer convenience. I offer yumminess! And that's why people keep coming back. The recipes I create are absolutely worth repeating.

    Founded in 2012, Recipes Worth Repeating grew from people routinely asking me to email them the recipe for my latest dish. Recipe development comes naturally to me and I find cooking relaxing. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and I love to showcase a variety of recipes on my blog.Creating delicious new recipes, still photography, and video for Recipes Worth Repeating is the driving force behind what engages my readers to keep coming back for more recipes they will love.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 10 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




       

    1. Miz Helen

      April 13, 2018 at 9:22 am

      5 stars
      Congratulations!
      Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week and we have pinned it to our special Features Board. Thanks so much for sharing with us and enjoy your new Red Plate!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    2. Lynette

      April 09, 2018 at 11:38 am

      I have always loved pesto and chicken together. I don't know what it is but the flavors are a great mix!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        April 09, 2018 at 8:27 pm

        You will love this recipe...guaranteed!

        Reply
    3. Julie

      April 08, 2018 at 7:51 pm

      What a great use for pesto! I have a whole bunch of garlic scape pesto I froze last year and have been trying to come up with good ways to use it, since we don't eat pasta. Slow cooker chicken thighs sound great!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        April 08, 2018 at 8:01 pm

        So glad this recipe is going to come in handy for you!

        Reply
    4. Stacey

      April 08, 2018 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      I'm all about this recipe! So full of flavor yet so straight forward and easy. My family would love this, I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        April 08, 2018 at 8:01 pm

        You guys will love it! Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
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