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Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo

This slow cooker recipe is an easy way to start cooking more in the New Year. First chicken breasts are seasoned and browned in a skillet. Then the chicken is placed in a slow cooker with chicken broth, butter, mushrooms, onions and seasonings. Next the chicken is cooked for several hours before adding orzo. The orzo is cooked, then the cheese is melted on top before serving.
Course Entree
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tsp Italian seasoning divided
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
  • 4 tbsp butter melted
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 medium or yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup shaved or finely shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly cracked black pepper and herbs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper on both sides. Cook in a large nonstick skillet on the stove over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until browned on the outsides.
  2. Transfer chicken to a greased slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, butter, mushrooms, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to slow cooker.
  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 to 2 hours or on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Stir in orzo, cover and cook for another 30-45 minutes.
  4. Uncover and use a fork to pull the chicken from the slow cooker. Stir contents of slow cooker, then return chicken to slow cooker, on top of the orzo mixture.

  5. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over chicken. Cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with fresh herbs and cracked black pepper if desired.