Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, creamy heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese alongside perfectly cooked orzo pasta. The slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich, savory one-pot meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (for garnish)
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sear them for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from heat and set the chicken aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant to release its aroma and enhance flavor. Then transfer the garlic to the slow cooker.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the seared chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Add the drained diced tomatoes, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, chicken broth, and heavy cream to the slow cooker, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and flavors to marry.
- Add Orzo: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the orzo pasta, cover, and cook until the orzo is tender and cooked through.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce and pasta.
- Add Cheese and Final Seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with chopped fresh basil just before serving to add a fresh, herbaceous note.
Notes
- For extra richness, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less creamy.
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds flavor and helps to keep it juicy.
- If you prefer, use fresh diced tomatoes instead of canned, adjusting broth quantity as needed.
- Make sure to add the orzo towards the end to avoid it becoming mushy.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
