Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo is a delicious and comforting dish that combines the rich flavors of French onion soup with tender chicken and creamy orzo pasta. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, as it cooks slowly in a crockpot, allowing all the ingredients to meld together beautifully.
why make this recipe
This recipe is a great choice for several reasons. First, it’s easy to prepare. Just layer the ingredients in your slow cooker, and let it do the work for you! Second, the flavors are fantastic. The combination of caramelized onions, herbs, and creamy cheese brings a lovely depth to the dish. Finally, it’s a complete meal in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
how to make Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo
Ingredients:
- 3-4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
Directions:
In the bowl of your slow cooker, layer the onions, 3 tablespoons of butter, and then the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with thyme, sage, garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the wine and broth. Add the mushrooms. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the chicken and most of the onions from the slow cooker and place on a baking sheet. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the orzo and 1 cup of water. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. If the orzo needs more liquid, add additional water. Stir in the cream and parmesan. Arrange 3 tablespoons of butter over the onions, and top the pan with gruyere. Broil for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melty. Serve the chicken and onions over the orzo.
how to serve Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo
This dish is best served warm. Spoon the creamy orzo onto a plate and top it with the tender chicken and caramelized onions. You can add a sprinkle of extra herbs or grated cheese for an added touch.
how to store Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo
To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage, but the texture of the orzo may change upon reheating.
tips to make Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo
- For best results, slice the onions thinly to ensure they cook evenly and caramelize well.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, use a good quality dry white wine.
- To save time, you can sauté the onions and garlic in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This adds a nice depth of flavor.
variation
If you want to switch things up, you can add vegetables like spinach or kale for added nutrition. You can also use different types of cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella, if you prefer. For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with Greek yogurt or a plant-based alternative.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken; just increase the cooking time by about an hour on low.
Q: Is there a substitute for orzo pasta?
A: You can substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes like ditalini, couscous, or even rice if you prefer.
Q: Can I make this recipe in a regular pot instead of a slow cooker?
A: Yes, you can make it on the stovetop. Just brown the chicken and onions first, then add the other ingredients, cover, and cook on low heat until the chicken is done and the orzo is cooked through.
Enjoy your Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo!
Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3-4 pieces yellow onions, thinly sliced Slice thinly for even cooking.
- 6 tablespoons salted butter 3 tablespoons reserved for broiling.
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- to taste Kosher salt and black pepper Season to your preference.
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup dry white wine Use good quality for richer flavor.
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta Can substitute with other small pasta shapes.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream Can substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese Can substitute with cheddar or mozzarella.
Instructions
Preparation
- In the bowl of your slow cooker, layer the onions, 3 tablespoons of butter, and then the chicken.
- Sprinkle the chicken with thyme, sage, garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour over the wine and broth. Add the mushrooms.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
Cooking Orzo
- Preheat the broiler to high.
- Remove the chicken and most of the onions from the slow cooker and place on a baking sheet.
- Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high.
- Stir in the orzo and 1 cup of water. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente, adding more water if necessary.
- Stir in the cream and parmesan.
- Arrange 3 tablespoons of butter over the onions and top with gruyere.
- Broil for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melty.
Serving
- Spoon the creamy orzo onto a plate and top with the tender chicken and caramelized onions.
- Optionally, add a sprinkle of extra herbs or grated cheese.