Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo Recipe
This delightful slow cooker recipe brings together tender chicken, fragrant herbs, and creamy orzo for a comforting and flavorful meal with minimal effort. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it offers a rich and satisfying experience.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Forks
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 2 medium celery stalks diced
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for garnish
Seasoning & Herbs
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, for thickening
Instructions
Cooking
- Lightly grease the slow cooker with olive oil. Add the chicken pieces, chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. If the sauce is too thin, whisk together cornstarch and a tablespoon of water, then stir into the slow cooker and cook for another 15 minutes, until thickened.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For a richer flavor, you can briefly sear the chicken pieces in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker. Adjust the seasoning to your preference, and feel free to add other vegetables like peas or spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This dish reheats well and is great for meal prep.