Slow cooker parmesan herb chicken & orzo is an easy, no-fuss crockpot meal with hearty flavors that will please the whole family.
The slow cooker is constant around our house! If you’re loving yours too, try Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Soup, Best Easy Slow Cooker Ribs, and Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken.
It’s feeling very Fall-ish around here. The air has definitely cooled off, the leaves are every shade of red and orange you can possibly imagine, and a huge rain storm just rolled through over the past couple of days giving me the perfect excuse to pull out my favorite grey wanna-be-Hunter rain boots. (Scored those babies for a steal of a deal from Nordstrom Rack last Spring, pretty much lived in them until Summertime came and in typical Utah desert fashion, a lack of rain storms.) It’s feeling like Fall inside my house though too, or rather smelling like Fall. Between the pumpkin harvest candle burning non-stop (thank you Target) and something yummy in the slow cooker all day long, it’s a little slice of heaven up in here.
I’m a little bit obsessed with this simple crockpot meal. Chicken and buttery orzo made all together in your slow cooker with herbs and garlic and melty parmesan cheese?? It just doesn’t get better than this. All you have to do is brown your chicken on the stove for a couple of minutes, then throw it int he slow cooker with your orzo, liquids, mushrooms, and seasonings, and let it cook for a few hours.
A few minutes before you’re ready to eat, just stir the orzo and sprinkle parmesan cheese all over the top. Cover it for about 5 more minutes so it gets all melty and ooey gooey delicious and then serve it up! Put it on your menu for this week, you will be so glad you did.
What people are saying about this Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo
“We had this tonight for dinner. My picky eater hubby LOVED IT!! His exact words were โItโs pretty good. You have to keep this one. Its really good. I really like it. โ The only thing I didnโt do was add mushrooms because I donโt like them. He said next time I make this to add the mushrooms. So thank you for this recipe we thoroughly enjoyed it. ” – Milihn
“My boyfriend has never been one to try new recipes or even let me cook. Sunday I made this dish and it was a huge hit and success. So much of a success that my boyfriend asked me to make it again so it is currently cooking. This is an amazing dish!” – Carol
“I just have to say this recipe is a WIN! My fiancรฉ is incredibly picky. Literally he eats all of my cooking but never comments, and this one did the trick! Iโm surprised by all the reviews saying the orzo was soggy, mine was perfect. Wish I could try it with mushrooms, Iโll have to plan a girls night soon so I can. This is probably THE best crock pot recipe Iโve ever used. Thank you for sharing, this will be a regular in my home!” – Katie
“Made this last night โ it was perfect. SO good. I fried the mushrooms in butter and added them at the end for a super great extra taste. Thanks for the great recipe! (The orzo was perfect, adding it about 45 minutes before we ate!” – Kayleigh
Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts - OR 4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 teaspoon Italian seasoning - divided
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 ยฝ cups orzo pasta - (see note)
- 4 tablespoons butter - melted
- 1 cup sliced - mushrooms
- 1 medium white or yellow onion - finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt - (or to taste)
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper - (or to taste)
- ยฝ cup shaved or finely shredded parmesan cheese
- freshly cracked black pepper and herbs (such as thyme or parsley) for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with a bit of the Italian seasonings and salt and pepper on both sides. Cook in a large nonstick skillet on the stove over medium-high heat 1-2 minutes on each side until browned on the outsides.
- Transfer chicken to a greased slow cooker. Add chicken broth, butter, mushrooms, onions, garlic, remaining Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours. Stir in orzo, cover and cook for another 30-45 minutes on high.
- Uncover and use a fork to pull chicken out of the slow cooker. Stir contents of slow cooker, then return chicken to slow cooker, on top of the orzo mixture.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese over chicken. Cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 5-10 minutes. Serve with fresh herbs and cracked black pepper if desired.
I made this tonight. It was good, not outstanding, but good for a weeknight meal. But, I have a hard time finding slow cooker meals that are outstanding. Having read other reviews I did the following:
– used 3 organic chicken breasts, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1/2 of the juice from a lemon, and all other ingredients as listed in the recipe
– I opted not to add the orzo. Cooked it separately and added it at the end.
Served with asparagus and French bread!
1 cup orzo
All you have to do is brown your chicken on the stove for a couple of minutes, then throw it int he slow cooker with your orzo, liquids, mushrooms, and seasonings, and let it cook for a few hours. A few minutes before youโre ready to eat, just stir the orzo and sprinkle parmesan cheese all over the top. Cover it for about 5 more minutes so it gets all melty and ooey gooey delicious and then serve it up!
Hi followed this recipe exactly–chicken thighs (I always use them in the slow cooker because I think breasts get too dry) & on low for four hours. The chicken was INCREDIBLE! My one year old had two full pieces & would’ve had more if I let her! The only problem was the orzo was mush…the flavor was fantastic but had the consistency of oatmeal. Any tips on preventing this? I thought maybe adding it in later in the cooking process? Thanks for the great recipe, definitely making it again!
I opted for 2 breasts. Any thoughts if this will change the consistency of the orzo? Feeling skeptical about putting in the orzo. I may cook it separately.
I wish I had read the comments before making this last night! I thought 2 hours was too long for orzo!!! Don’t be out off, the chicken and general flavour was really good. Will definitely do it again but only adding the orzo for maybe 15-20 minutes. I also think it doesn’t need so much butter!