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Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo Recipe

Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 10 reviews

This Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo recipe delivers a creamy, comforting meal featuring tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta. Easy to prepare and perfect for busy days, it’s a delicious one-pot dish with a rich blend of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a bright finishing touch.

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 & Optional

  • ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice or Zest of ½ Lemon (optional, stirred in at the end)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Base (Optional Searing/Sautéing): Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown but not cooked through. Remove chicken and place in the slow cooker. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened, add minced garlic, and cook 1 more minute until fragrant. Transfer onion and garlic to the slow cooker over the chicken. If skipping searing, place raw chicken, onion, and garlic directly in slow cooker.
  2. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour chicken broth over chicken and aromatics in the slow cooker. Sprinkle in dried thyme, oregano, crushed rosemary, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to distribute seasonings around the chicken.
  3. Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be tender and shreddable. Cooking times can vary depending on chicken parts and slow cooker model.
  4. Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken pieces carefully from slow cooker; place on cutting board or bowl. Leave cooking liquid in slow cooker. Use two forks to shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Cook the Orzo: Turn slow cooker to HIGH. Stir uncooked orzo into hot broth in slow cooker, making sure it is mostly submerged. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes until orzo is tender and has absorbed most liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add an extra ½ cup hot broth or water if liquid looks low.
  6. Combine and Finish: Stir shredded chicken back into slow cooker, add grated Parmesan cheese and optional heavy cream or half-and-half. Gently mix until cheese melts and sauce is creamy. Stir in fresh parsley and optional lemon juice or zest.
  7. Taste and Adjust: Sample the dish and adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. If too thick, add a splash of warm broth or cream to loosen sauce.
  8. Serve: Spoon the creamy Parmesan Herb Chicken and Orzo into bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • For best flavor, sear chicken before slow cooking, but you can skip this step to save time.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to control saltiness; adjust seasoning later.
  • Orzo cooks directly in the broth in the slow cooker, so no need to boil separately.
  • Heavy cream or half-and-half is optional but adds wonderful creaminess.
  • Keep an eye on orzo towards the end to avoid overcooking; stir occasionally.
  • Add lemon juice or zest at the end to brighten the dish.
  • Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with extra broth if dry.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, parmesan herb chicken, orzo recipe, creamy chicken pasta, easy slow cooker meals

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