Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Crockpot)

With a seasoned, creamy sauce, this Marry Me Chicken Orzo is a comforting dinner packed with nutrition! Made in the slow cooker to keep busy nights easy, this recipe is a one-stop meal you’ll make over and over again.

All the comforting tastes of fall but packed with pops of color and healthy ingredients. This crockpot chicken orzo requires minimal time in the kitchen but packs a punch of flavor in every bite, just like this Cajun chicken pasta recipe.

Made with a blend of silky Alfredo sauce and savory sundried tomatoes, this dinner recipe comes together in your slow cooker to make weeknights a bit less stressful. Although it has a comforting feel, like chicken and noodles, it’s packed with both spinach and carrots for a dose of nutrients, too.

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: You’ll want to cut these into bite-sized pieces so that they cook quickly. Other chicken cuts will work, but may give off more juice.
• Alfredo sauce: Your favorite jar from the grocery store is perfect, though you can make your own, like in this chicken Alfredo, if you prefer to.
• Chicken broth: Adds tons of flavor to the orzo pasta while it cooks.
• Sundried tomatoes: Sundried tomatoes in oil tend to be more flavorful than those packaged in a bag. If you have the choice, opt for the ones in oil. Just make sure to drain them first.
• Parmesan: Shredded cheese works best as it helps make the sauce creamy, but the finely grated cheese will do just fine.
• Orzo pasta: Great for slow cooking as it absorbs the extra sauce perfectly.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Rice: In place of the orzo, you can make the marry me chicken orzo recipe into more of a casserole by using rice instead.
• Spicy: Give the chicken orzo a spicy kick by adding red pepper flakes to the mix.
• Protein: For a seafood twist, replace the chicken with shrimp. You’ll need to adjust the cooking time, though, as shrimp will cook faster than chicken.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken with Orzo

This recipe really is about letting your crockpot do the work for you. Once you get everything in, you don’t need to add or adjust until 30 minutes before serving.

1. Step 1: Prep the chicken. Add the chicken and chicken broth to the crock pot, then sprinkle in the seasonings, garlic, onion, carrots, and sundried tomatoes.

2. Step 2: Pour the sauce. Slowly pour in the Alfredo sauce, taking care to ensure everything is covered.

3. Step 3: Begin slow cooking. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or speed it up by cooking on high for 2.5-3.5 hours.

4. Step 4: Add the orzo. In the last 30 minutes, add the orzo, spinach, and parmesan. Cover the crockpot and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.

5. Step 5: Serve. Give everything a stir to combine, and then serve it in bowls garnished with more Parmesan and parsley.

Storage Directions 

• Storing: Leftover creamy chicken orzo can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for 2 months. Let it cool fully before you store it.
• Reheating: If it’s in the freezer, let it thaw overnight in the fridge first. Then, reheat it on the stove over low-medium heat until warmed through. It does thicken upon sitting, so you’ll want to add a splash of water or chicken broth to make it creamy again.

Serving Suggestions

Marry me chicken and orzo is the perfect dinner to prepare when you want something comforting, just like a pink sauce pasta. Below are a few ways to adapt the meal to suit your needs that night.

• Serve it alongside crockpot cornbread to stretch the meal a bit.
• Complete the dinner with cherry cobbler or apple crisp for a complete Sunday night dinner.

More Delicious Crockpot Pasta Recipes

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