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Creamy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Orzo

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A comforting and creamy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and orzo pasta in a luscious Tuscan sauce. Perfect for an easy, set-it-and-forget-it dinner that pleases the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta (about 170 grams)
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese (240 ml)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (115 grams)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (720 ml)
  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (about 60 grams)
  • 3 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach (about 90 grams)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat dry chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Drizzle olive oil into the slow cooker insert and place the seasoned chicken breasts at the bottom.
  3. Sprinkle minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly over the chicken.
  4. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
  6. Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks, then return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
  7. Stir in dry orzo pasta and roughly chopped fresh spinach.
  8. Cover and cook on high for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent sticking.
  9. Reduce heat to low and stir in cottage cheese and softened cream cheese until creamy and well combined.
  10. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir well. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Turn off the slow cooker and let the dish sit for 5 minutes with the lid on to thicken slightly before serving.

Notes

Add orzo later in the cooking process to avoid mushy pasta. Stir halfway through orzo cooking to prevent sticking. Use small-curd cottage cheese for best texture. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and cottage cheese with vegan alternatives. For gluten-free, use gluten-free orzo or substitute with rice or quinoa. If orzo is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken, orzo pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, one pot meal

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-slow-cooker-tuscan-chicken-orzo-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/