Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo

Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo is a cozy, hearty meal that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the chicken juicy and the orzo perfectly creamy. The rich herb sauce and golden, crispy chicken will make your kitchen smell amazing. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Burnt Basque Cheesecake Recipe With Creamy Texture and Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap Recipe for Quick Dinner or Lunch.

What You'll Need for Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

How to Make Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo

1. Step 1: Season chicken breasts with thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add orzo pasta and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted. Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Transfer orzo and broth to the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Add seared chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Pour heavy cream over the top. Sprinkle red pepper flakes (if using) and grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken and orzo.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and orzo is tender. Stir occasionally to combine flavors.
5. Step 5: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Stir shredded chicken back into the slow cooker. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese.

Storing & Reheating Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare all ingredients and place them in the slow cooker up to 24 hours ahead. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours when ready to serve.

Freezing Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo

Freeze cooked chicken and orzo separately for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For an even richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of butter at the end of cooking and stir until melted and combined.
• Best substitution: If you don't have orzo, you can use any small pasta shape, such as stelline or ditalini.
• Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead instructions.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water to thin it out. If it's too thin, cook uncovered on high for 10-15 minutes to reduce the liquid.

Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

6-8 hrs (low) or 3-4 hrs (high)

⏳

Total

6-8 hrs (low) or 3-4 hrs (high)

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season chicken breasts with thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add orzo pasta and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted. Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Transfer orzo and broth to the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Add seared chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Pour heavy cream over the top. Sprinkle red pepper flakes (if using) and grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken and orzo.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and orzo is tender. Stir occasionally to combine flavors.
5. Step 5: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Stir shredded chicken back into the slow cooker. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Chef tip: For an even richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of butter at the end of cooking and stir until melted and combined.
• Best substitution: If you don't have orzo, you can use any small pasta shape, such as stelline or ditalini.
• Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead instructions.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water to thin it out. If it's too thin, cook uncovered on high for 10-15 minutes to reduce the liquid.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and orzo separately for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
• Make ahead: You can prepare all ingredients and place them in the slow cooker up to 24 hours ahead. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours when ready to serve.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 45g
• Fat: 35g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Cholesterol: 150mg
• Sat. Fat: 18g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Slow Cooker Parmesan Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!