Creamy, hearty, and hands-off, this Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo layers tender shredded chicken, juicy tomatoes, and silky spinach in a rich Parmesan-cream sauce. The orzo cooks right in the pot for a comforting, one-bowl meal finished with a bright pop of fresh basil.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning; sear 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Build flavor: In the same skillet, sauté garlic 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Transfer liquid to the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables: Scatter cherry tomatoes and spinach around the chicken.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred: Remove chicken to a board and shred with two forks.
- Finish with orzo and cream: Stir orzo, heavy cream, and Parmesan into the slow cooker. Return shredded chicken and mix well. Cover and cook on HIGH 25–35 minutes, stirring once halfway, until orzo is tender and creamy. If too thick, add 1/4–1/2 cup hot broth or water.
- Serve: Spoon into bowls and garnish with fresh basil. Season to taste.
Variations
- Sun-Dried Tomato + Pesto: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tablespoons basil pesto with the orzo.
- Lemon-Spinach Artichoke: Add 1 cup quartered artichoke hearts and finish with 1–2 teaspoons lemon zest and a squeeze of juice.
- Spicy Calabrian: Add 1–2 teaspoons Calabrian chili paste (or red pepper flakes) with the broth for gentle heat.
Cooking Notes
- Stir the orzo once halfway through the final cook to prevent sticking around the edges.
- If using larger or smaller chicken breasts, adjust slow-cook time; shred only when easily pull-apart tender.
- Warm the cream slightly before adding to minimize temperature shock and keep the sauce silky.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with extra Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and torn basil.
- Serve with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread or focaccia.
- Add a squeeze of lemon at the table to brighten the richness.
Tips
- Sear for fond those browned bits deepen flavor after deglazing with broth.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for smooth melting and better flavor.
- Batch-cook and portion for lunches; loosen with a splash of warm broth when reheating.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 38 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can I use chicken thighs?
A: Yes boneless, skinless thighs stay juicy; cook times are similar. - Q: Can I skip searing?
A: You can, but searing builds deeper flavor. If skipping, add 1/2 tsp extra Italian seasoning. - Q: The orzo is too thick what do I do?
A: Stir in 1/4–1/2 cup hot broth or water until creamy. - Q: How do I make it dairy-free?
A: Use coconut milk or cashew cream and dairy-free Parmesan; add 1–2 tsp nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
Conclusion
This slow cooker Tuscan chicken orzo delivers tender shredded chicken, juicy tomatoes, and wilted spinach in a Parmesan-kissed cream sauce comfort in a bowl with almost no effort. The orzo cooks right in the pot, soaking up every drop of flavor. Finish with fresh basil and dinner’s done, cozy and crowd-pleasing.
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Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, hearty, and hands-off, this Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo layers tender shredded chicken, juicy tomatoes, and silky spinach in a rich Parmesan-cream sauce. The orzo cooks right in the pot for a comforting, one-bowl meal finished with a bright pop of fresh basil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning; sear 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Build flavor: In the same skillet, sauté garlic 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Transfer liquid to the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables: Scatter cherry tomatoes and spinach around the chicken.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred: Remove chicken to a board and shred with two forks.
- Finish with orzo and cream: Stir orzo, heavy cream, and Parmesan into the slow cooker. Return shredded chicken and mix well. Cover and cook on HIGH 25–35 minutes, stirring once halfway, until orzo is tender and creamy. If too thick, add 1/4–1/2 cup hot broth or water.
- Serve: Spoon into bowls and garnish with fresh basil. Season to taste.
Notes
- Orzo absorbs liquid quickly add warm broth or water as needed for a silky, risotto-like finish.
- For richer flavor, increase the Parmesan to 3/4 cup.
- Use low-sodium broth to help control the salt level.
- If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking the orzo at 20 minutes to prevent overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, One-Pot
- Method: Slow Cooker (with stovetop sear)
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Tuscan-Style
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: slow cooker tuscan chicken orzo, creamy crockpot chicken, parmesan orzo, one-pot meal, weeknight dinner