Description
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. The dish is completed with orzo pasta cooked to perfection, perfect for a hearty family dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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
Vegetables and Liquids
- 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
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear them for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown, then set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the garlic to the slow cooker. Add the seared chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Add Orzo Pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the orzo pasta. Continue cooking until the orzo is tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker, shred them with two forks, then return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Finish and Garnish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh garlic and fresh basil.
- Drain diced tomatoes well to prevent excess liquid in the slow cooker.
- The orzo adds creaminess and body; avoid overcooking to prevent mushy pasta.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- To reduce calories, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream option.
