Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Orzo
, Updated Aug 30, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Orzo – tender chicken thighs cooked with garlic, sun-dried tomato paste and orzo, finished with cream and spinach. A creamy, flavor-packed family meal that’s fuss free and absolutely irresistible.
The viral Marry Me Chicken pasta is such a hit in my kitchen that I had to create a slow cooker version with orzo! This one-pot meal is cozy, creamy, and loaded with flavor — and the best part is that your slow cooker does most of the work.
Tender chicken thighs and pasta soak up all that garlicky, tomato-rich goodness, making it a dish that everyone will fall in love with (pun intended).
What You’ll Need
- Skinless and boneless chicken thighs are perfect for crock pot cooking but you can use chicken breasts or chicken tenders if preferred.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes are usually used in this recipe but I found that sun-dried tomato pesto or paste is even easier to use (no chopping!) and brings just as much flavor. I also added some cherry tomatoes for extra texture.
- Mushrooms – these are optional so feel free to leave out if you are not a fan! You can replace these with canned artichoke hearts.
- The Pasta – I added orzo pasta straight into the slow cooker. It cooks in about 45 minutes on HIGH. You can use other types of small dried pasta of course. If you want to keep this recipe low carb and keto friendly then you can leave the pasta out altogether (see recipe notes).
- Fresh spinach is added right at the end of cooking, wilting when mixed in. You can add as little or as much as you like!
- Make it creamy! Stir in sour cream or heavy cream right at the end of cooking to add richness to the dish. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3 days. Slow cooker Tuscan chicken is suitable for freezing if no pasta is added.
How to Make Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Sear the chicken – If your slow cooker allows, heat a little olive oil and brown chicken thighs for about 6 minutes or until nicely colored both sides. (If not, do this in a pan or skip for speed.)
- Sauté aromatics – Add onions, garlic, mushrooms (if using), salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
- Build the flavor – Stir in sun-dried tomato paste or chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh cherry tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir well, cover and cook for 90 minutes on the HIGH setting.
- Add the orzo – Stir in the orzo and cook for another 30–45 minutes, or until pasta is tender. Check early, stir well and check again – you don’t want mushy pasta! Once the orzo is cooked, remove the insert from your crockpot.
- Finish the dish – Stir in spinach and let it wilt. Add sour cream or heavy cream, stir well and check the seasoning.
- Serve & enjoy – Sprinkle with chopped basil and Parmesan and serve with Garlic Dough Balls.
Recipe Notes
- Variations – Make it gluten-free by using GF orzo. For a dairy-free version replace the cream and cheese with a plant-based alternative.
- Slimming World – Ue cooking spray and sun dried tomatoes with oil rinsed off. Either leave out the sour cream or use half fat sour cream or fat-free creme fraiche.
- Leftovers and Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. For freezing, omit the pasta (as it can go mushy); add freshly cooked orzo when reheating.
HAVE YOU MADE MY SLOW COOKER TUSCAN CHICKEN RECIPE? Please leave a rating, post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes and make my day!
Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Tuscan Chicken)
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Orzo – tender chicken thighs cooked with garlic, sun-dried tomato paste and orzo, finished with sour cream and spinach. A creamy, flavor-packed family meal that’s fuss free and absolutely irresistible.
Video
Equipment
- Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil , or cooking spray
- 8 chicken thighs , boneless & skinless
- 1 yellow onion , diced
- 1 cup (125g) mushrooms, sliced optional
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 6 tbsp sundried tomato paste or ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tsp garlic paste
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1 ⅔ cups (400ml) hot chicken stock
- 1 cup (170g) orzo pasta (or small dried pasta shapes)
- 2 cups (60g) fresh baby spinach (or as much as you like!)
- 4 tbsp sour cream or heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh basil , chopped
- Grated parmesan , to serve
Instructions
- If your slow cooker allows for searing then add the oil and cook the chicken until coloured on both sides.1 tbsp olive oil, 8 chicken thighs
- Add the onions, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.1 yellow onion, 1 cup (125g) mushrooms, sliced, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp ground pepper
- Stir in the sun-dried tomato paste and garlic.6 tbsp sundried tomato paste, 2 tsp garlic paste
- Add the cherry tomatoes and chicken stock and stir. Cover and cook for 90 minutes on HIGH setting.1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, 1 ⅔ cups (400ml) hot chicken stock
- Add the pasta and stir well. Cover and cook for a further 30-45 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking. Check after 20 minutes and give a good stir.1 cup (170g) orzo pasta
- Add the spinach and stir into the pasta so that it wilts. Stir in the cream and check the seasoning.2 cups (60g) fresh baby spinach , 4 tbsp sour cream
- Serve topped with chopped basil and grated Parmesan.2 tbsp fresh basil, Grated parmesan
Notes
If you are short on time, simply add all the ingredients (apart from pasta) to the crockpot and cook for 90 minutes on high. Add the pasta, if using, and cook for a further 30-45 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
- Gluten Free – if you use gluten free pasta. Dairy Free– leave out the sour cream and cheese.
- Low Carb/ Keto– if you leave out the pasta.
- Slimming World Friendly – use cooking spray and sun dried tomatoes with oil rinsed off. Either leave out the sour cream or use half fat sour cream or fat free creme fraiche for lower syns.
- Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3 days. Slow cooker Tuscan chicken is suitable for freezing without the pasta.
Nutrition
Calories: 772kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 226mg | Sodium: 1568mg | Potassium: 936mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2620IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.
Tuscan marry me chicken in slow cooker sounded great until I read all the steps and multiple minutes to cook in pot. Slow cookers are meant to dump and cook. No additional step involved! Will not try
That really didn’t need a comment… and it’s totally up to you whether to try or not 🤷🏻♀️
Made this without sour cream and added a squeeze of fresh lemon at the end, delicious!
Loved this. Cooked 2 portions in a 1.5L (much same as 1.5 quart) slow cooker. I DIDnt have sundried tomato paste so used chopped sun dried tomato and tomato purée (in UK). Really good flavours and will definitely be making again 😁