Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich and creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, served over perfectly cooked orzo pasta. Ideal for an effortless, hearty dinner with minimal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse them with robust flavors.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown. This enhances the dish’s depth of flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
- Prepare Slow Cooker Base: In the slow cooker, combine heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to create a creamy, flavorful base.
- Add Chicken to Slow Cooker: Place the seared (or raw) chicken breasts into the slow cooker, pressing them into the creamy mixture to ensure thorough coverage.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and set the slow cooker to low heat. Cook for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Add Orzo: Remove the lid and add the orzo pasta, making sure it is submerged in the creamy sauce for even cooking.
- Add Spinach and Continue Cooking: Stir in fresh spinach leaves, cover again, and cook for an additional 30-40 minutes until the orzo is tender.
- Combine Ingredients: Once the orzo is cooked, stir the entire mixture thoroughly to blend all components together.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving to add a fresh, aromatic touch.
Notes
- For faster prep, you can skip searing the chicken but note that searing adds more depth of flavor.
- Using fresh spinach is preferred for the best texture, but frozen spinach can be substituted; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil are recommended for richer taste; drain excess oil before adding.
- If thicker sauce is desired, you can stir in a bit more Parmesan cheese at the end.
- This recipe is ideal for busy days as it requires minimal hands-on cooking time.
