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Creamy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Orzo: Easy One-Pot Dinner

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This creamy slow cooker Tuscan chicken orzo is a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers rich, velvety flavor with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a crowd-pleasing comfort dish that feels indulgent yet effortless.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup dried orzo pasta
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
  2. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes, then stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Remove from heat.
  3. Place seared chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the cream sauce mixture over the top. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours until chicken is fork-tender.
  4. About 20 minutes before the chicken is done, cook orzo in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well (do not rinse).
  5. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir.
  6. Add fresh spinach to the slow cooker and stir gently until wilted (about 2-3 minutes). Add cooked orzo and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip searing the chicken—it adds depth of flavor. Cook orzo separately to avoid mushy pasta. Use room temperature cream to prevent curdling. Taste sauce before adding orzo and adjust seasoning. For a lighter version, use half-and-half or chicken breast. For dairy-free, use full-fat coconut milk and nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free orzo or rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, Tuscan chicken, orzo, creamy, one-pot, chicken thighs, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/creamy-slow-cooker-tuscan-chicken-orzo-easy-one-pot-dinner/