Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo is a comforting one-pot dish that combines tender chicken, orzo pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce infused with Italian flavors. With sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, this dish offers a delightful mix of taste and simplicity, making it perfect for family dinners or impressing guests without the fuss. Just set it in the slow cooker, and let the magic happen!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or frozen)
- 2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by chopping garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
- In the slow cooker, layer seasoned chicken at the bottom. Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pour in chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken; stir in heavy cream until combined. Shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the slow cooker.
- Mix in uncooked orzo pasta; cover again for another 30 minutes until tender.
- Serve hot, drizzled with extra cream if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 553
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 735mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 107mg
Keywords: For added flavor, sear the chicken before placing it in the slow cooker. Substitute turkey for chicken or use kale instead of spinach for variation. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days; reheat gently on the stovetop.