Description
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a cozy, one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and orzo pasta in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil), chopped
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup orzo pasta
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Scatter minced garlic and diced onion over the chicken. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Pour chicken broth over the mixture. Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or HIGH for 1-1.5 hours.
Check chicken for doneness. When nearly cooked, add heavy cream and orzo pasta. Cook on LOW for 20-30 minutes, until orzo is tender.
Stir in chopped spinach and Parmesan cheese until spinach wilts and cheese melts into the sauce.
Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.
Notes
For extra creaminess, add an additional splash of heavy cream when serving.
Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts for a richer flavor.
Keep an eye on the orzo to prevent overcooking—it softens quickly in the slow cooker!
Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can be used; just drain them well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on LOW)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 615 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 148 mg