Description

This Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken & Orzo is a creamy, comforting one-pot meal featuring tender shredded chicken slow-cooked with savory herbs, garlic, and onions, then combined with perfectly cooked orzo pasta and Parmesan cheese for a rich, flavorful finish. Ideal for busy days, this hearty dish provides a fuss-free way to enjoy a restaurant-quality creamy chicken and pasta dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1.5 lbs (about 680g) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs (or a mix)

Aromatics

1 Medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
4–5 Cloves Garlic, minced

Fat

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Butter (optional, for searing/sautéing)

Liquid

4 cups (approx. 950ml) Low-Sodium Chicken Broth

Herbs & Spices

1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
½ teaspoon Dried Rosemary, crushed slightly
¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a hint of warmth)
Salt and Black Pepper, to taste (start with ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper)

Pasta

1 cup (about 200g) Uncooked Orzo Pasta

Dairy / Cheese

1 cup (about 100g) Grated Parmesan Cheese, plus more for serving
¼ to ½ cup (60-120ml) Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half (optional, for extra creaminess)

Fresh Finish

¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice or Zest of ½ Lemon (optional, stirred in at the end)

Instructions

Prepare the Base (Optional Searing/Sautéing): Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear it for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown but not cooked through. Remove chicken and place it in the slow cooker. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Transfer onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker over the chicken. If skipping searing, put raw, seasoned chicken in slow cooker and scatter onion and garlic on top.
Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour chicken broth over chicken and aromatics in the slow cooker. Sprinkle in dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded. Cooking time varies by slow cooker and chicken cut.
Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken from slow cooker and place on a cutting board or bowl. Leave cooking liquid in slow cooker. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
Cook the Orzo: Turn slow cooker to HIGH. Stir uncooked orzo into hot broth ensuring it is mostly submerged. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Add extra ½ cup hot broth or water if liquid is low.
Combine and Finish: Stir shredded chicken back into slow cooker. Add Parmesan cheese and optional cream or half-and-half. Mix gently until cheese melts and sauce is creamy. Stir in fresh parsley and optional lemon juice or zest.
Taste and Adjust: Check seasoning and add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of warm broth or cream.
Serve: Spoon creamy Parmesan herb chicken and orzo into bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds extra depth of flavor but is optional for convenience.
If using chicken breasts, cooking time may be shorter; thighs may need longer for tenderness.
Stir orzo occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking around edges of slow cooker.
Adjust cream and cheese quantities to your preference for creaminess and richness.
Adding lemon juice or zest at the end brightens the dish and balances richness.
If the orzo absorbs all liquid too quickly, add more broth to reach desired consistency.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high plus 30 minutes for orzo
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, parmesan chicken, creamy chicken and orzo, one-pot meal, slow cooker dinner, herb chicken recipe