Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo Recipe
Indulge in the rich flavors of Tuscany with this Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo recipe. This comforting dish features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, orzo pasta, and spinach in a creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (in oil, drained)
- 4 cups chicken broth
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Broth: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken in the slow cooker along with minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken and Add Orzo: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Finish Cooking: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and orzo pasta. Cover and cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and creamy. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- For a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: slow cooker, creamy Tuscan chicken, orzo pasta, Italian recipe
