Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo Recipe
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal, combining tender cubed chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach in a creamy Parmesan sauce, served over perfectly cooked orzo pasta. Ideal for an easy, hands-off dinner with a rich, Italian-inspired taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (not in oil)
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Liquids and Dairy
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken.
- Add Aromatics and Tomatoes: Scatter the minced garlic and diced onion on top of the seasoned chicken. Then add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor.
- Add Broth and Cook: Pour the low sodium chicken broth gently over the contents in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours or on high for 1 to 1.5 hours until the chicken is nearly done.
- Add Cream and Orzo: Once the chicken is almost fully cooked, stir in the heavy cream and orzo pasta. Cover and continue cooking on low for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the orzo is tender but not mushy.
- Finish with Spinach and Cheese: Stir in the roughly chopped spinach and Parmesan cheese until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Adjust Seasonings and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed. Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken orzo hot for a hearty meal.
Notes
- Use Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Thighs can add extra moisture and flavor if preferred.
- Drain Sun-Dried Tomatoes if Packed in Oil: This prevents excessive oiliness in the dish.
- Watch the Orzo: Add the orzo later in cooking to avoid it becoming mushy; check tenderness toward the end.
- Opt for Lighter Cream Options: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or light cream for a less rich sauce.
- Add Spinach at the End: Adding it last keeps its color and freshness intact.
- Refresh When Reheating: Stir in a little broth or water to loosen the sauce when reheating leftovers.
- Freezing: Store leftovers in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, making it convenient for quick meals later.
