Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

5 from 5 votes

This crock pot chicken thighs recipe is perfect for dinner! My Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are an easy slow cooked chicken dinner with just a few ingredients! So flavorful with minimal effort.

This recipe pairs perfect with mashed potatoes and quick fix homemade rolls.

An Easy Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

You are in for the ultimate treat with this boneless chicken thigh recipe. The chicken comes out perfectly tender with flavorful pesto seasonings throughout. With just three simple to find ingredients, you get a delicious home cooked meal for the family.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This slow cooked chicken dish could not get simpler. You literally toss the ingredients into the crock pot or slow cooker, close the lid and forget about it for a few hours.
  • This is a perfect back to school, no-stress easy dinner idea that you don’t have to think about while your managing getting back on a schedule if your kids have already started school.

For daily recipe inspiration, be sure to follow Picky Palate on Instagram.

ingredients for boneless chicken thigh recipe

What You’ll Need

One of the best parts about this recipe, is there’s only three ingredients needed! See the recipe card located at the bottom of post for full details.

  • boneless skinless chicken thighs– Find chicken thighs in the meat department near the chicken breasts.
  • prepared pesto– Prepared pesto is in the pasta isle of the grocery store near the sauces and pasta.
  • Ranch Dressing Seasoning packet– Check down the salad dressing isle for the packets of Ranch Dressing Seasoning.

Can I Use Other Chicken Parts?

You can use chicken breast and even tenders if you’d like. Adjust cooking time accordingly.

boneless chicken thighs in crock pot

How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

  1. Place Chicken and Seasonings Into Crock Pot. Turn crock pot to high setting. Place chicken thighs, pesto, ranch dressing and chicken broth into crock pot. Stir gently to combine all seasonings.
  2. Slow Cook Chicken Thighs. Close with lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

adding pesto to crock pot of chicken thighs

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Slow Cooker

  1. Have a meal at home in the slow cooker eliminates the temptation to order take-out which is often less nutritious and more expensive.
  2. Slow cookers usually allow one-step preparation. Placing all the ingredients in the slow cooker saves preparation time and cuts down on cleanup.
  3. Slow cookers are useful throughout the year. Coming in from a cold winter day, the aroma of hot soup is welcoming. Slow cookers also work well for summertime use; they do not heat the kitchen the way an oven might.
  4. As a result of the long, low-temperature cooking, slow cookers help tenderize less-expensive cuts of meat.
  5. A slow cooker brings out the flavor in foods. A wide variety of foods can be cooked in a slow cooker, including one pot meals, soups, stews and casseroles.
  6. A slow cooker uses less electricity than an oven.

pesto spread over chicken thighs in crock pot

The pesto gives the chicken thighs ultimate flavor. Just spoon it over the chicken and let it slow cook.

Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

The Ranch Dressing mix also acts as a major seasoning to this dish. The flavor that comes from the two is amazing. I wouldn’t skip it. Sprinkle your Ranch Seasoning Mix over top.

boneless chicken thigh recipes

Add the chicken broth and give a little stir then close the lid. Kick your feet up while your crock pot does all the work.

boneless chicken thigh recipes

Recipe Tips For Success

  • Feel free to use other chicken parts. I’ve also used chicken breast which is great too.
  • Don’t leave out one of the ingredients. The Pesto with the Ranch mix gives great flavor when slow cooked!
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Use shredded over salad for another meal idea.

How To Serve Chicken Thighs?

Serve with potatoes. Match made in heaven. Roasted vegetables are another great pairing along with nice green salad.

How To Store Leftovers

Refrigerate. Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions. Reheat chicken on a heat proof plate, loosely covered for 60 second intervals until hot.

Freezing Instructions

Freeze chicken thighs in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as instructed above.

You Might Also Like

Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
5 from 5 votes

Crock Pot Pesto Ranch Chicken Thighs

This crock pot chicken thighs recipe is perfect for dinner! My Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are an easy slow cooked chicken dinner with just a few ingredients! So flavorful with minimal effort.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 217kcal
Author: Jenny
Cost: $25
Print Pin Rate

Equipment

  • Crock Pot / Slow Cooker
  • measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 6 ounce jar of pesto
  • 1 package Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  • Turn crock pot to high setting. Place chicken thighs, pesto, ranch dressing and chicken broth into crock pot. Stir gently to combine all seasonings. Close with lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Serve with a side of mashed potatoes and a simple salad.

Notes

  • Feel free to use other chicken parts. I've also used chicken breast which is great too.
  • Don't leave out one of the ingredients. The Pesto with the Ranch mix gives great flavor when slow cooked!
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Use shredded over salad for another meal idea.
How To Serve Chicken Thighs
Serve with potatoes. Match made in heaven. Roasted vegetables are another great pairing along with nice green salad.
How To Store Leftovers
Refrigerate. Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions. Reheat chicken on a heat proof plate, loosely covered for 60 second intervals until hot.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze chicken thighs in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as instructed above.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 362mg | Potassium: 288mg | Vitamin A: 455IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1.1mg
Keywords: boneless chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken thigh recipes, chicken dinner, chicken thigh crock pot recipes, chicken thigh recipes, crock pot chicken thighs, how long to bake chicken thighs, how to cook chicken thighs, pesto, slow cooker chicken thighs

photo collage of crock pot chicken thighs

Related Posts

173 Responses
  1. Lauren

    5 stars
    This recipe was SO good and simple! I would give it 10 stars if I could! My picky daughter even loved it-that’s saying a lot!

  2. Nancy Rogers

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe! Made this for supper tonight and it was delicious! Followed recipe exactly. Wouldn’t change a thing!

  3. Kim

    5 stars
    I make this ALL the time because it’s so good and easy! I also always get rave reviews when I make it for someone else. My favorite way to serve it is over short noodles like farfalle or penne. Thanks for sharing this and not keeping it a secret from everyone 😉

    1. Kennie P. Coco

      Made homade pesto. Worked well added a few more ingredients served with homemade egg noodles. Thumbs up. Tks

  4. Michelle

    Has anyone seared the thighs for a couple minutes first before putting into the crockpot? I like the skin to be slightly crispy. Sometimes when you make chicken in the crockpot it’s a bit slimy. I made this a while ago and it was a big hit with my family. Making it again tonight!

  5. Diane

    What is the difference in the ranch dressing powder and the dip mix? Even though I asked for ranch dressing packet my husband brought me home the dip mix. Ty

  6. Michelle

    Made this dish 4 times already!!! Kids and hubby love it! Served it as tacos once and added black beans. Thanks!

  7. Liz

    It was delicious, my husband loved it. I mixed it up in a bowl then placed on top of boneless chicken thighs. (I also trimmed off all the fat with a kitchen shears)

    Shredded it and served it on Cuban bread.

    Next time I’ll try it over pasta.

  8. Liz

    It was delicious, my husband loved it. I mixed it up in a bowl then placed on top of boneless chicken thighs.

    Shredded it and served it on Cuban bread.

    Next time I’ll try it over pasta.

  9. Deborah

    Hi, i like your recipe, but here in belgium, we don’t have ranch dressing mix. How can i replace it? I did find a recipe for ranch dressing, but i guess That isn’t the same.
    Kind regards
    Deborah

    1. Jenny K

      Deborah, I can answer this question. You can make your own if you can find buttermilk powder and some other dried herbs and spices (parsley, dill, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, dried minced onion, sugar, black pepper, paprika, cayenne). If you make a big batch of it you can keep it in the freezer for months. And ranch powder is SOOOOO good on just about anything! You could try substituting some ranch dressing but the added liquid may make the end product a little too soupy. Here is a recipe for ranch mix but a Google search will turn up many more: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/diy-homemade-ranch-seasoning-mix/

      I hope this helps! This has become a frequent dinner dish at my house.

  10. Kiki

    I have a silly question. In one of the pictures it doesn’t look like the thighs are trimmed of extra fat. I’ve always trimmed things but I hate doing it. What happens to the fat while it cooks in the crockpot? Do we just cut the fat off while we’re eating this? Thanks.

  11. kelli

    how long would i cook this if i cut the recipe in half? wouuld i cut the time in half too?or would 4 chicken thighs still cook the same amount of time? im new to cooking, i dont know how to do anything. lol

  12. Amy

    This is such a fabulously easy recipe! I served this with spaghettini tossed with garlic, sautéed red peppers and a sauce mixture of alfredo and pesto. This was a HUGE hit, my boyfriend and I argued over who would be taking the leftovers for lunch. I will definitely be making this again…

  13. Gail

    I think this is the first time I have actually ever commented on a recipe, but it was so good I just had to take a minute to do so. Incredibly easy and incredibly delicious!! My very picky husband gave rave reviews. Served with smashed garlic red potatoes and carrots with a side salad. Definitely on my make-again list.

    1. Jon P.

      Just made this for myself and my very picky eater PARENTS. They loved it and I did too!
      I have a lot of “juice” left from the slow cooker. Can I freeze it and use it for something later? What could I use it for??

  14. Tina

    trying tonight, is there enough ‘sauce’ to serve with noodles and coat them for like 5 servings of noodles? Or how are people preparing noodles to go with?

  15. Deia D

    I just want you to know i make this recipe at least 2x per month now, after finding this. It’s so easy and delicious! I put the chicken on salads, sandwiches or just eat with rice/veggies. Thank you so much! It’s a staple for me now 🙂

  16. Amber

    this is a family favorite in our rotation. I tweaked it by adding 8 oz cream cheese to tame the pesto for my two year olds, and we serve over basmati rice.

    1. Becca

      Did you add the cream cheese with the other ingredients or at the end? Would it be good over spaghetti instead of mashed potatoes?

Leave a Reply

Recipe Rating




Welcome to Picky Palate!

Picky PalateWelcome to my online kitchen! Picky Palate is where you’ll find family friendly recipes along with the best Disney eats, tips and copycat recipes! Read More...

Recipe Categories

Picky Palate Disney Hungry

Never Miss an Update!

Sign up to get easy recipes or Disney tips delivered to your inbox for FREE!