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Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo 30 Minutes Easy Delicious

Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo 30 Minutes Easy Delicious
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Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo is a delightfully creamy and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and a rich, cheesy orzo pasta. This one-pot wonder is the perfect solution for busy weeknights, as the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with a comforting and satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil or butter (optional, for searing/sautéing)
  • 4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed slightly
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of warmth)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or zest of 1/2 lemon (stirred in at the end)

Instructions

1. If you want to add an extra layer of flavor, you can sear the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, season the chicken with salt and pepper, and sear it for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step is optional but can enhance the overall taste of the dish.

2. Start by placing the diced onion, minced garlic, and uncooked orzo in the slow cooker. Nestle the chicken on top of the aromatic base.

3. Pour the chicken broth over everything, then sprinkle in the thyme, oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. This liquid and herb mixture will infuse the dish with incredible flavor as it cooks.

4. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, and the orzo is soft and creamy.

5. Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.

6. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and the heavy cream (if using) until the mixture is well combined and creamy.

7. Finally, stir in the fresh parsley and the optional lemon juice or zest. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve the Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo warm, garnished with extra parmesan and parsley.

Notes

If you don’t have chicken breasts or thighs, you can use a combination of both. For the orzo, you can substitute another small pasta shape, such as ditalini or acini di pepe. If you’re looking to make this dish dairy-free, you can omit the heavy cream and use a non-dairy milk alternative.

Leftover Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, simply transfer the dish to a saucepan and warm it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of broth or milk to thin out the consistency if it has thickened too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken, orzo, slow cooker

Find it online: https://www.basterecipes.com/slow-cooker-parmesan-herb-chicken-and-orzo/