Description

This Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo is a comforting, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken cooked with caramelized onions, fresh herbs, mushrooms, and a splash of white wine, all combined with creamy orzo pasta topped with melted Gruyere cheese. Perfect for a hearty family meal, this recipe can be prepared using a slow cooker or stovetop with a delicious broiled cheese topping.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Onions

3-4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
6 tbsp salted butter, divided
1 ½ lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
2 cup sliced mushrooms

For the Orzo and Cheese

2 cup dry orzo pasta
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

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Instructions

Prepare and Layer Ingredients: In the slow cooker bowl, layer the thinly sliced onions, 3 tablespoons of butter, and then place the chicken on top. Sprinkle the chicken evenly with fresh thyme, sage, and chopped garlic. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to your taste. Pour in the dry white wine and chicken or vegetable broth, then add the sliced mushrooms, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Broil Chicken and Onions: Preheat your oven broiler to high. Carefully remove the chicken and most of the onions from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet.
Cook the Orzo: Increase the slow cooker temperature to high. Stir in the dry orzo and 1 cup of water. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender but still al dente. Add additional water if necessary during cooking to prevent dryness. Once cooked, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
Broil with Gruyere Cheese: Arrange the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over the onions on the baking sheet and top evenly with shredded Gruyere cheese. Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, watching closely to prevent burning.
Serve: Serve the broiled chicken and onions over the creamy orzo. Enjoy the rich and savory flavors of this French Onion-inspired dish!

Notes

You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs for a more tender and juicy result or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
Adjust the liquid for the orzo cooking as needed to achieve the perfect texture.
For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth.
Make sure to monitor the broiler closely as cheese can burn quickly.
This dish reheats well but is best enjoyed fresh for the melted Gruyere topping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 480
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 110mg