Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken, orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian herbs in a rich, creamy sauce for a hearty one-pot meal.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup orzo pasta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sear them for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Transfer the garlic into the slow cooker and add the chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the orzo pasta and cook until tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Swap chicken breasts for boneless thighs for extra juiciness.
Add mushrooms or roasted red peppers for more vegetables.
Use half-and-half or plant-based cream for a lighter version.
Freeze leftovers in individual portions for easy meals.
Use thawed, drained frozen spinach if fresh is unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours on low or 3–4 hours on high
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
