Description

This Slow Cooker Mustard Herb Chicken with Creamy Orzo is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken infused with herbs and tangy dijon mustard, served over a rich, creamy orzo pasta with broccoli and parmesan. Perfect for an easy make-ahead meal, it offers versatile cooking options including slow cooker, instant pot, or stovetop methods.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
2 shallots, quartered
1 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
1 cup apple cider or chicken broth (do not use vinegar)
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons salted butter

Orzo and Vegetables

2 cups dry orzo pasta
1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli

Finishing Ingredients

1/3 cup heavy cream or canned full fat coconut milk
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the chicken: In the bowl of your slow cooker, rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, dijon mustard, thyme, sage, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Pour over the white wine, apple cider or broth, and lemon juice. Add the quartered shallots on top.
Slow cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1 to 2 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Broil the chicken: Preheat your broiler to high. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place on a baking sheet. Dot the chicken with salted butter. Broil for 1 to 3 minutes until the butter melts and chicken skin crisps slightly.
Cook the orzo and broccoli: Set the slow cooker heat to high. Add the dry orzo pasta, chopped broccoli, and 1 cup of water to the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente. If needed, add more water to achieve desired consistency.
Finish the creamy orzo: Stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk) and freshly grated parmesan cheese into the orzo mixture until creamy and well combined.
Serve: Place the broiled chicken breasts over the creamy orzo and broccoli. Serve immediately and enjoy the flavorful dish.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, substitute parmesan cheese and heavy cream with nutritional yeast and coconut milk respectively.
Apple cider can be replaced with chicken broth for a milder flavor.
Adjust cooking times if using thick chicken breasts to ensure doneness.
If the orzo absorbs too much liquid too quickly, add hot water gradually to prevent drying.
This recipe can be prepared using an Instant Pot or stovetop following the instructions provided for alternative cooking methods.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 chicken breast with 1/6 of orzo mixture)
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 110mg