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.
Servings: 4
Calories: 772kcal
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
Video
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
