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Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 57 reviews

This Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo is a comforting, creamy one-pot meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts or thighs slow-cooked with aromatic onions, garlic, and herbs, combined with tender orzo pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and optional cream and lemon for brightness. Minimal hands-on time and maximum flavor make this a deliciously easy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs (about 680g) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs (or a mix)

Aromatics

  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 4–5 Cloves Garlic, minced

Fat

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Butter (optional, for searing/sautéing)

Liquid

  • 4 cups (approx. 950ml) Low-Sodium Chicken Broth

Herbs & Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Rosemary, crushed slightly
  • ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a hint of warmth)
  • Salt and Black Pepper, to taste (start with ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper)

Pasta

  • 1 cup (about 200g) Uncooked Orzo Pasta

Dairy/Cheese

  • 1 cup (about 100g) Grated Parmesan Cheese, plus more for serving
  • ¼ to ½ cup (60-120ml) Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half (optional, for extra creaminess)

Fresh Finish

  • ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)

Optional Brightness

  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice or Zest of ½ Lemon (stirred in at the end)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Base (Optional Searing/Sautéing): Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear chicken 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown, not fully cooked. Remove and place in the slow cooker. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion in drippings for 3-4 minutes until softened, add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Transfer onion and garlic mixture over chicken in slow cooker. If skipping sear step, place raw seasoned chicken, onion, and garlic directly into slow cooker.
  2. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour chicken broth over chicken and aromatics. Add dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until chicken is very tender and easily shredded.
  4. Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken pieces and shred with two forks. Leave broth in slow cooker.
  5. Cook the Orzo: Turn slow cooker to HIGH if not already. Stir uncooked orzo into hot broth ensuring it’s mostly submerged. Cover and cook 20-30 minutes until orzo is tender and liquid mostly absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add extra broth if needed.
  6. Combine and Finish: Stir shredded chicken back into slow cooker with orzo. Add grated Parmesan cheese and optional cream or half-and-half. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is creamy. Stir in fresh parsley and optional lemon juice or zest.
  7. Taste and Adjust: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. Add more broth or cream if mixture is too thick.
  8. Serve: Spoon into bowls, garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, don’t skip searing the chicken and sautéing the aromatics before slow cooking.
  • You can use chicken breasts, thighs, or a mix; thighs require longer cooking and yield more tender meat.
  • Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker’s heat settings and your choice of chicken cut.
  • If orzo absorbs liquid too quickly and gets dry, add additional hot broth or water during the cooking.
  • Heavy cream or half-and-half is optional but adds a rich creaminess to the final dish.
  • Lemon juice or zest adds fresh brightness balancing the creamy flavors; add to taste.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken, Parmesan Herb Chicken, Orzo Pasta, Easy Slow Cooker Dinner, Creamy Chicken and Pasta

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