Slow Cooker Orzo Chicken In Blush Sauce

Slow cooker chicken orzo and rice in blush sauce

5 from 4 votes

Slow Cooker Orzo Chicken In Blush Sauce

Creamy and delicious slow cooker orzo chicken in blush sauce will be your new favorite dish. This chicken and pasta recipe is cooked with broccoli making it the ultimate one-pot crock-pot meal.

Prep Time5

Cook Time4

Once chicken cooked, add in broccoli, orzo and cream1

Total Time5 5

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: orzo chicken, orzo chicken in blush sauce, slow cooker chicken in blush sauce, slow cooker orzo chicken

Servings: servings

Calories: 517kcal

Author: The Lazy slow cooker

Equipment

4 qt slow cooker or larger
Knife and cutting board
measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

1.5 - 2 lbs chicken thighs cut into bite sized chunks
15.5 oz marinara sauce (about 1¾ cups)
10.4 oz diced tomatoes Italian seasoned, if possible
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
2 cups broccoli florets fresh
salt and pepper to taste
freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil for garnish

Instructions

grease slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or oil
Add all ingredients except broccoli, orzo and cream to your slow cooker and stir to combine
1.5 - 2 lbs chicken thighs, 15.5 oz marinara sauce, 10.4 oz diced tomatoes , 1 cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried basil
cover and cook on low until chicken reaches in internal temperature of at least 165℉ (this take me about 3-4 hours, but each slow cooker is a little different)
about 30 minutes before serving, add orzo, broccoli, and cream to slow cooker. Temper cream by adding some of the hot liquid from your slow cooker to it before mixing it with the contents of your crockpot. Although full fat cream shouldn't curdle, this step still makes me more comfortable.
cover and continue to cook
1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup orzo pasta, 2 cups broccoli florets
When pasta is cooked through and broccoli is as soft as you like it, taste test an add salt and or pepper to your liking
top with grated parmesan and chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste, freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil for garnish

Notes

Some people find that pasta cooked in the slow cooker is mushier than they prefer. If this is the case, you can cook your pasta separately and add it to the chicken mixture just before serving.

If you are a fan of parmesan (like me!) you can also stir some additional shredded parm into your dish prior to serving for extra thickness and flavor.

See write up above for serving suggestions

Nutrition