Description
The Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich, savory flavors with a smooth and creamy texture. This dish takes inspiration from traditional Italian cuisine, with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and herbs all coming together in a hearty, easy-to-make slow cooker meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In the slow cooker, add the chicken breasts, diced onion, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
3. Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, spinach, and uncooked orzo.
5. Continue to cook on low for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Once the orzo is fully cooked, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
This dish is ideal for meal prepping and stores well in the fridge or freezer. For added variety, substitute spinach with kale or arugula, or swap out Parmesan for Pecorino Romano or mozzarella. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. Make it gluten-free by substituting the orzo with rice or quinoa. A green salad or crusty bread pairs beautifully with this meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg