Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a delicious and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chunks of chicken, creamy sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese, combined with orzo pasta. Perfect for a hassle-free dinner, it slow cooks to perfection, delivering rich flavors and a creamy texture without much fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (not in oil)
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Liquids and Pasta
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken and Seasonings: Place the cubed chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Season evenly with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste, ensuring the chicken is well-coated with the spices.
- Add Aromatics and Vegetables: Scatter minced garlic and diced onion over the seasoned chicken. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes on top to infuse the dish with their rich flavor.
- Add Broth and Start Cooking: Pour the low sodium chicken broth gently over the chicken and vegetables. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, or on high heat for 1-1.5 hours, allowing the chicken to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Add Cream and Orzo: Once the chicken is nearly cooked through, pour in the heavy cream and add the orzo pasta. Stir gently to combine. Continue cooking on low for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and creamy absorbs.
- Incorporate Spinach and Parmesan: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the spinach wilts and the Parmesan melts into the creamy sauce, enriching the dish with fresh and cheesy notes.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken orzo hot, ideally as a fulfilling main course.
Notes
- This dish is ideal for busy weeknights since it requires minimal active cooking time and the slow cooker does all the work.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, tangy depth but make sure they are not packed in oil for best texture and flavor balance.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Feel free to add mushrooms or bell peppers before cooking for extra veggies and flavor.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely without losing creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 594 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 532 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
