Description
Hearty Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo brings Italian comfort to weeknight dinners with minimal prep. Creamy pasta and tender chicken combine with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 ½ cups (270 grams) uncooked orzo pasta
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (60 grams) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ½ cup (70 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (in oil, drained)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Seasoning and Searing: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Flash-sear in a hot skillet with olive oil to develop a golden-brown crust, intensifying the flavor profile (optional step for time efficiency).
- Slow Cooker Foundation: Transfer seared chicken to slow cooker. Cascade diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream over the meat. Gently combine ingredients to create a harmonious flavor base.
- Tenderizing and Shredding: Simmer chicken on low heat for 4-6 hours until fork-tender. Shred chicken directly in the cooking liquid, allowing it to absorb the rich, creamy sauce completely.
- Pasta and Greens Integration: Fold orzo and spinach into the slow cooker. Elevate temperature to high, cooking for 20-30 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency and spinach wilts gracefully. Fold in Parmesan cheese to create a velvety, luxurious texture.
- Culinary Presentation: Artfully plate the dish, crowning it with fresh basil leaves to introduce a bright, aromatic finale that transforms the entire culinary composition.
Notes
Optimize Chicken Searing: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust, which intensifies flavor complexity and prevents steaming.
Prevent Pasta Mushiness: Add orzo during the final 20-30 minutes of cooking to maintain ideal texture and prevent overcooking, ensuring a delightful al dente consistency.
Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use gluten-free orzo to accommodate specific dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider toasting dried herbs briefly before adding them to the seasoning mix, releasing more intense aromatics and creating a more robust flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 512
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 102 mg