Crockpot Mozzarella Chicken Pesto Farfalle: A 10-Minute Prep, Set-and-Forget Dinner Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before starting, cut the chicken breast tenderloins into 1-inch cubes. If using frozen chicken, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Measure out the farfalle, spinach, and pesto.

Soften the cream cheese by leaving it at room temperature for 30 minutes, then cut it into cubes. Shred the mozzarella if not pre-shredded. Have all ingredients ready to layer into the slow cooker.

Instructions

Layer and Set

1. 1Layer the Ingredients
   Place the cubed chicken breast tenderloins in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Scatter the farfalle pasta, fresh baby spinach, and basil pesto over the chicken, spreading them evenly. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and place it in the center of the mixture. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.
   Look for The slow cooker should be about two-thirds full, with the ingredients layered but not stirred.
   Tip Do not stir at this stage—the layers will meld during cooking, and stirring can break up the chicken.

At the end of this phase, the slow cooker contains layers of raw chicken, pasta, spinach, and pesto, topped with cream cheese and mozzarella. The ingredients should look colorful and vibrant, with the cream cheese and mozzarella forming a white cap over the greens. The slow cooker is about two-thirds full, and everything is ready to cook.

Slow-Cook to Perfection

2. 2Cook on Low
   Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the pasta is tender. The cream cheese and mozzarella will melt into a creamy sauce. Stir gently halfway through to distribute the sauce and prevent sticking.
   Look for The sauce should be bubbling gently at the edges, and the cheese fully melted.
   Safe temperature 165°F (74°C) internal temperature (poultry)
   Tip Check the pasta at the 3-hour mark; different brands may cook faster. If the mixture looks dry, add a splash of chicken broth.

After 4 hours on low, the sauce is bubbling gently around the edges, and the cheese has melted into a smooth, creamy sauce.

The chicken is cooked through and tender, the pasta is al dente, and the spinach has wilted into the sauce. The aroma of basil, garlic, and cheese fills the kitchen. Stir gently to combine, then check the chicken temperature.

Rest and Serve

3. 3Rest and Serve
   Turn off the slow cooker and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve hot, spooning the cheesy chicken and pasta onto plates. Garnish with extra basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired, though the video serves it plain.
   Look for The sauce should cling to the pasta and chicken, with strings of melted mozzarella.
   Tip For a thicker sauce, leave the slow cooker uncovered for 10 minutes after cooking.

After resting, the sauce has thickened slightly and clings to the pasta and chicken. The mozzarella pulls into long, stretchy strands when you lift a spoonful. The dish looks like a creamy, cheesy pasta bake, with bits of green spinach and pesto throughout. Serve hot, straight from the slow cooker.

Common mistakes

One common mistake is stirring the ingredients during the first few hours, which can break up the chicken and make the sauce cloudy. Another is overcooking the pasta, which can turn it mushy. To avoid this, check the dish at the 3-hour mark.

If the sauce seems too thin, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes. If it's too thick, add a splash of chicken broth. Avoid opening the lid frequently, as this releases heat and slows cooking.

How to tell it’s done

The dish is done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the pasta is tender but not mushy. The sauce should be bubbling gently and the cheese fully melted.

To check the chicken, insert an instant-read thermometer into a few cubes; it should read at least 165°F (74°C). The pasta should be al dente, with a slight bite. The spinach will be wilted and incorporated into the sauce.

• Poultry: 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part