Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, divided
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (optional)

Instruction

  • Pulse the garlic in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment until coarsely chopped, 5 to 6 pulses. Add 1/2 the basil and pulse until the leaves are coarsely chopped, 5 to 6 pulses. Add the remaining basil and pine nuts. Pulse into a coarse paste, 10 to 12 pulses. Add the oil and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Pulse until just combined into a coarse paste; set aside.
  • Season the chicken breasts with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Place the chicken in a 3- to 5-quart slow cooker. Add 3 tablespoons of the pesto and toss to combine. Place the remaining pesto in the refrigerator.
  • Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the chicken is cooked through, registering 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. If desired, stir the tomatoes in during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Uncover and stir in the reserved pesto. To serve, toss with cooked pasta, serve on a sandwich bun, tuck in a wrap, or serve on top of cooked rice or cauliflower rice.