Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken and Sweet Potato Mash
Tender chicken breasts cooked low and slow with fragrant basil pesto, served over soft sweet potato. Comforting, effortless to prep, and easy on your joints.
Prep
10 min
Cook
300 min
Total
310 min
Makes
4 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Katie + Lila
Katie created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthEveryday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
300 min
Total
310 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Basic kitchen utensils
Time saver
To keep sodium low, select a low-sodium store-bought pesto or make a quick nut-free basil blend at home.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Place sweet potato cubes into the bottom…
- 01
Place sweet potato cubes into the bottom…
Place sweet potato cubes into the bottom of a 4-quart or 6-quart slow cooker.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer…
Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer directly over the sweet potatoes.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 03
Season with black pepper and ground cumin
Season with black pepper and ground cumin.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Spoon basil pesto evenly over the top…
Spoon basil pesto evenly over the top of the chicken breasts.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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Cover with the lid and cook on…
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
Look for: the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sweet potatoes are fork-tender
Tap card to mark done - 06
Use two forks to gently shred the…
Use two forks to gently shred the chicken right in the slow cooker pot, or transfer chicken breasts to a plate and shred, then mix together with the sweet potatoes.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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Mash the sweet potatoes gently into the…
Mash the sweet potatoes gently into the cooking juices using a fork or potato masher until smooth.
Look for: smooth
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Divide into 4 equal portions for meal…
Divide into 4 equal portions for meal prep containers.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 09
Cool completely before sealing and storing in…
Cool completely before sealing and storing in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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