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Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo Recipe

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4.1 from 8 reviews

This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breast is slow-cooked with aromatic garlic, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, then simmered with creamy heavy cream, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese. The addition of orzo pasta makes this dish hearty and satisfying, delivering rich Tuscan flavors with minimal effort.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, 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 chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 1 cup orzo pasta

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to evenly coat the chicken with flavors.
  2. Add Garlic, Onion, and Tomatoes: Scatter the minced garlic and diced onion over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes on top, which will add a rich, tangy flavor to the dish.
  3. Pour in Liquids: Gently pour the low sodium chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, or on high for 1 to 1.5 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  4. Add Cream and Orzo: Once the chicken is nearly done, stir in the heavy cream and orzo pasta. Continue cooking on low for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and cooked properly, soaking up the delicious sauce.
  5. Final Steps: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts completely into the creamy sauce, enriching the dish with a smooth texture and savory flavor.
  6. Taste and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired. Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken orzo hot for a comforting and hearty meal.

Notes

  • Use low sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add intense flavor; make sure they are not packed in oil for best results.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can cook the orzo a little longer or reduce the amount of broth slightly.
  • This recipe can be doubled for larger groups but may require a larger slow cooker.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a light cream option, though the sauce will be less rich.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Tuscan, Italian

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/slow-cooker-creamy-tuscan-chicken-orzo-recipe/