Description
A cozy and flavorful dish, Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken Orzo blends creamy orzo, tender chicken, and fragrant herbs for an easy, hands-off dinner perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1½ cups orzo pasta
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly cracked black pepper and chopped thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Season chicken with 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides
Sear chicken in a skillet for 1 to 2 minutes per side until browned
Transfer chicken to slow cooker
Add chicken broth, melted butter, mushrooms, onion, garlic, and remaining Italian seasoning
Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for 1½ to 2 hours
Stir in orzo and re-cover
Cook an additional 30 to 45 minutes until orzo is tender
Gently stir everything, return chicken to top, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese
Cover for 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted
Serve hot, garnished with herbs and cracked black pepper
Notes
For firmer orzo, cook it separately in chicken broth and stir in just before serving
Boneless chicken thighs add more flavor and moisture
Mushrooms are optional but add great umami
Adjust herbs and salt to taste based on broth used
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 585
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1689mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 53g
- Cholesterol: 119mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, parmesan chicken orzo, creamy chicken orzo, crockpot chicken dinner