Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting, flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts, orzo pasta, and a creamy sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, onion, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hands-off dinner, this easy recipe combines Italian-inspired seasonings with the convenience of slow cooking to deliver a rich and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, cut into small cubes)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Aromatics and Vegetables
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 cup sun dried tomatoes (chopped, not in oil)
- 1 cup fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
Liquids and Dairy
- ½ cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to evenly coat all the pieces for a balanced flavor base.
- Add Aromatics and Tomatoes: Scatter the minced garlic and diced onion over the seasoned chicken. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes on top to infuse the dish with their rich, tangy flavor as it cooks.
- Pour in Chicken Broth and Cook: Gently pour the low-sodium chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring even coverage. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, or on high for 1 to 1.5 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Add Cream and Orzo: Once the chicken is nearly done, stir in the heavy cream and orzo pasta. Continue cooking on low for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed the flavors of the sauce.
- Incorporate Spinach and Cheese: Stir in the fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the spinach wilts and the cheese fully melts into the creamy sauce, creating a rich and cohesive texture.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot for a hearty, comforting meal that combines creamy, savory, and slightly spicy elements.
Notes
- This dish is ideal for busy days as it requires minimal active cooking time while the slow cooker does the work.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Sun-dried tomatoes not packed in oil contribute texture and concentrated flavor without adding extra fat.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to customize the dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 594 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 532 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
