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Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 77 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo is a comforting and flavorful crockpot meal featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked with Italian herbs, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and creamy orzo pasta. This easy-to-make dish combines the convenience of slow cooking with the delicious taste of Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, making it perfect for a family-friendly dinner with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Slow Cooker Mixture

  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Orzo and Toppings

  • 1½ cups orzo pasta
  • ½ cup shaved or finely shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly cracked black pepper and herbs (such as thyme or parsley) for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season and Brown Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs on both sides with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 1-2 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned chicken to a greased slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, melted butter, sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, minced garlic, remaining 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, and additional salt and pepper as desired.
  3. Slow Cook the Chicken and Vegetables: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and flavors meld.
  4. Add Orzo and Continue Cooking: Stir the orzo pasta into the slow cooker mixture. Cover and cook on high for another 30-45 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and cooked through.
  5. Shred Chicken and Mix: Uncover the slow cooker and use a fork to gently pull the chicken apart. Stir the contents thoroughly, then return the shredded chicken to the top of the orzo mixture.
  6. Add Parmesan and Finish Cooking: Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the chicken. Cover and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese has melted.
  7. Serve: Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper and fresh herbs like thyme or parsley before serving. Enjoy your creamy, flavorful slow cooker Parmesan herb chicken and orzo!

Notes

  • For best results, use low sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • You can substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes if desired, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
  • Chicken thighs add more flavor and tenderness but can increase the fat content compared to chicken breasts.
  • If using chicken breasts, be careful to not overcook to avoid dryness.
  • Fresh herbs used for garnish can be adapted based on preference or availability.

Find it online: https://dishmelt.com/slow-cooker-parmesan-herb-chicken-and-orzo-recipe/