Description
Hearty chicken orzo slow cooker recipe promises Mediterranean comfort with tender chicken melting into creamy pasta. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, delivering a soul-warming meal you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) bone-in chicken thighs and/or legs, skin removed
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) water
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) lemon zest
- Salt
- Pepper
Pasta:
- 1 pound (454 grams) uncooked orzo pasta
Instructions
- Arrange a base layer of finely chopped onions at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful foundation.
- Gently place whole chicken pieces atop the onion layer, ensuring even distribution.
- Whisk together minced garlic, melted butter, freshly grated lemon zest, lemon juice, water, salt, and ground pepper in a separate bowl.
- Pour the aromatic liquid mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Set slow cooker to LOW temperature and allow to simmer for 4 hours, letting the chicken become tender and infused with flavors.
- Carefully remove chicken from the slow cooker and delicately separate meat from bones, shredding into bite-sized pieces.
- Return shredded chicken to the cooking liquid, maintaining the rich broth.
- Introduce orzo pasta directly into the slow cooker, stirring gently to integrate with the chicken and broth.
- Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Taste the dish, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper as needed to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Serve hot, ensuring each portion captures the harmonious blend of chicken, orzo, and aromatic seasonings.
Notes
- Swap traditional butter with olive oil for a lighter, heart-healthy version that keeps the dish flavorful and nutritious.
- Choose bone-in chicken thighs for richer taste and more tender meat that falls off the bone effortlessly.
- Rinse orzo before adding to prevent excess starchiness and ensure a perfect, fluffy texture in the final dish.
- Customize the recipe by adding fresh herbs like parsley or dill during the last 30 minutes for a bright, fresh flavor boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 478 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg