Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo Recipe
Indulge in the rich flavors of Tuscany with this Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo. Tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and orzo pasta simmered in a creamy sauce make this a comforting and satisfying meal for any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
For the Orzo:
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Finishing Touches:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add Ingredients: Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, broth, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Orzo and Cream: Stir in orzo and heavy cream 30 minutes before serving.
- Finish: Add spinach and Parmesan cheese just before serving. Serve warm.
Notes
- To thicken the sauce, add a cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- For a heartier dish, swap spinach with kale.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
