Description
Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo is the ultimate comfort food that brings cozy flavors to your table. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a rich, creamy sauce packed with aromatic herbs and served over perfectly cooked orzo pasta. This easy recipe requires minimal prep and yields a delicious meal that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends.
Ingredients
Fot The Chicken
– 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 4 to 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
– 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
– 1 teaspoon salt, divided
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
For The Sauce & Orzo
– 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
– 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
– 4 tablespoons butter, melted
– 1 cup sliced mushrooms
– 1 medium white or yellow onion, finely chopped
– 2 teaspoons minced garlic
– 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
– 1/2 cup shaved or finely shredded Parmesan cheese
– 2/3 to 1 cup fresh spinach, optional
For Garnish
– Fresh thyme or parsley
– Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
1. Season the chicken on both sides with some of the Italian seasoning, plus the salt and black pepper.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
3. Transfer the chicken to a greased slow cooker.
4. Add the chicken broth, melted butter, mushrooms, chopped onion, minced garlic, and the remaining Italian seasoning.
5. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 2 hours or on low for 3 to 4 hours.
6. Stir in the orzo, cover again, and cook on high for 30 to 45 minutes, until the orzo is tender.
7. Remove the chicken carefully, stir the orzo mixture, then return the chicken to the slow cooker.
8. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the chicken.
9. If using spinach, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking, until wilted.
10. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more, until the Parmesan is melted.
11. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley and freshly cracked black pepper, then serve warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg