Description
This Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo recipe offers a creamy, comforting one-pot meal that combines tender chicken breasts, flavorful Italian herbs, savory mushrooms, and creamy orzo pasta. Cooked low and slow to meld rich flavors, it’s perfect for an easy dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs)
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Slow Cooker Base
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 medium white or yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Finishing Touches
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
- ½ cup shaved or finely shredded parmesan cheese
- Freshly cracked black pepper, for garnish
- Fresh herbs such as thyme or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Brown Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with about half of the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 1-2 minutes on each side until browned but not fully cooked through.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a greased slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, melted butter, sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, minced garlic, the remaining Italian seasoning, and additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Slow Cook Initial: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours until chicken is cooked through and vegetables have softened.
- Add Orzo and Continue Cooking: Stir the orzo pasta into the slow cooker, cover again, and cook on high for an additional 30-45 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed much of the broth.
- Remove and Stir: Uncover the slow cooker and carefully remove the chicken using a fork or tongs. Stir the orzo mixture well to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Return Chicken and Add Cheese: Place the chicken back on top of the orzo in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken. Cover the slow cooker again and cook for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the dish hot, garnished with freshly cracked black pepper and chopped fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Orzo pasta is a rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and adds a creamy texture to the dish.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a moister, more flavorful meat.
- To prevent sticking, grease the slow cooker before adding ingredients.
- If you prefer, stir in the parmesan cheese at the end instead of on top for a more integrated flavor.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning to taste, especially if using salted broth.
