Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo Recipe
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender Italian-seasoned chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy sauce, and fresh spinach, all cooked together with orzo pasta in a slow cooker for a convenient and delicious dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (in oil, drained)
Liquid and Pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
Cheese and Greens
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Broth: Season the chicken breasts or thighs evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to ensure the chicken is flavorful throughout the cooking process.
- Place in Slow Cooker: Transfer the seasoned chicken to the slow cooker, then add the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth. This creates the flavorful base liquid for the dish.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred Chicken and Add Orzo: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, mixing it into the broth.
- Add Cream, Cheese, and Pasta: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and the uncooked orzo pasta to the slow cooker, blending all ingredients.
- Finish Cooking the Orzo: Cover and cook on high for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until the orzo is tender and the sauce is creamy. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more until the spinach wilts.
- Serve: Dish out the creamy Tuscan chicken orzo hot, garnished with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- You can use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result or breasts for leaner meat.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are not available, roasted red peppers can be used as a substitute to add sweetness and color.
- Make sure to check the orzo near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking; orzo cooks quickly and can become mushy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat well on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: Tuscan chicken, slow cooker recipe, creamy chicken, orzo pasta, one-pot meal, easy dinner
