Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a rich, comforting dish packed with tender chicken, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic. The orzo absorbs all the delicious flavors, making it the perfect one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare and full of Mediterranean-inspired goodness.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- :
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (drained if packed in oil)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- :
- Prepare the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden (it doesn’t need to be fully cooked). Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add ingredients to the slow cooker: In the slow cooker, combine the diced onion, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine.
- Cook the chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the mixture in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Add the orzo and cream: Stir in the orzo pasta, heavy cream, and spinach. Cover and cook on high for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the sauce is creamy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Once the orzo is cooked and the dish is creamy, serve hot. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
- :
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream.
- If you like a bit of a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- This dish can also be made with chicken thighs for extra flavor and tenderness.
- Make sure to stir the orzo halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg