Print

Delicious Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo

Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting Italian dish combining chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
  • 1 teaspoonItalian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoonred pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4cloves garlic, minced
  • 1small onion, diced
  • 1 cupsun-dried tomatoes, chopped (not in oil)
  • ½ cuplow-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cupheavy cream
  • 1 cupfresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cuporzo pasta
  • 1 cupParmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Begin by placing the cubed chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. This is the foundation of your meal, so ensure the cubes are evenly distributed. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper over the chicken, imbuing it with rich flavors from the get-go.
  2. Next, add the aromatic elements. Scatter the minced garlic and diced onion over the seasoned chicken. These aromatics will infuse the chicken with flavor as it cooks. Then, toss in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, allowing their tanginess to elevate the overall flavor profile of the dish.
  3. Take the low-sodium chicken broth and gently pour it over the layered chicken and vegetables. This broth will serve as the base of your sauce, creating a juicy environment for the chicken to cook in. Once everything is nicely layered, cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-1.5 hours, depending on your schedule.
  4. With the chicken nearly cooked through, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Pour in the heavy cream and add the orzo pasta. Stir gently to combine everything, ensuring the orzo is coated with the creamy mixture. Continue cooking on low for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
  5. As the final step, fold in the fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. The spinach will wilt almost immediately, and the Parmesan will melt, creating a luscious sauce throughout the dish. If you like, let it sit for a few minutes after turning off the cooker. This extra time allows the orzo to absorb any remaining liquid for a thicker, creamier texture.

Notes

Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels; you can always add more salt later based on taste.

Nutrition

Find it online: http://ingredientidea.com/delicious-slow-cooker-creamy-tuscan-chicken-orzo/