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Crockpot Greek Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Orzo. Turning a meatball and pasta dinner into an easy slow cooker meal. We’re using white wine, garlic, herbs, and orzo today. Add in some vibrant summer cherry tomatoes for veggies, flavor, and a pop of color. This slow-cooked greek meatballs dinner is a delicious meal to come home to at the end of the day. And the best part? It’s the easiest, cozy, but still summery dinner to prepare. Directions for the Instant Pot and stove-top are also provided!
When it comes to sharing recipes, there are definitely times when I’m not sure what to make. I can be very indecisive. If I don’t love the idea on paper I tend to not even give the recipe a try.
When I’m feeling like I don’t have a concept that I LOVE, I like to head to the pantry. I look to see what’s there that needs to be used up. This is actually one of my favorite ways to create a recipe. I find they tend to be my most creative, simple, and yummy recipes.
When I saw all the cherry tomatoes on the counter that desperately needed to be used, I knew a summer tomato recipe would be delish. I went with that and somehow we got ourselves a meatball and orzo dinner in return.
When I think of crockpot recipes, I tend to associate them with the fall. But they’re honestly great all year round, especially in the summertime when it’s hot, hot, hot. The crockpot is the one machine that really doesn’t heat up the kitchen in any way, so having something slow cooking is no big deal!
We love that!
With this recipe, there is some oven broiling at the very end – which you can skip, but I do enjoy the crispness it gives to each little meatball.
Now, here are the details
Before I dive into the steps, I should mention that this recipe can be made in the crockpot, instant pot, or quickly on the stove. That all being said, the recipe works best in the crockpot and I think it’s easiest this way.
Either method is good, however, so use what works best for you!
Step 1: form the meatballs
I went with Greek-inspired flavors, using ground chicken or even ground turkey, parmesan cheese, shallots, garlic, lots of fresh herbs-oregano, paprika, and balsamic vinegar.
You’ll want to season the meatball mixture up with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Then roll the meat into balls. I like to use some olive oil when rolling to avoid getting the chicken all stuck on my hands.
Once the meatballs are formed, place them in the bowl of the crockpot. Then add the tomatoes and pour over the wine. Start slow cooking! Since these are meatballs, they can cook quickly on high for a couple of hours or cook them low and slow all day. Either is great and the meatballs are never dry. The wine will add moisture to them.
Step 2: Add the orzo and tomatoes
When the meatballs are cooked, pull them out along with the garlic, then set them aside on a baking sheet.
Add the orzo to all the yummy broth and tomatoes in the crockpot. Now simply cover and cook a few minutes longer, until the orzo is al dente.
Step 3: broil the meatballs with butter
Meanwhile, add butter to the meatballs and garlic and toss on some rosemary and thyme. You can also use oregano. Then place the sheet pan under the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp them up.
What happens is that the butter browns around the meatballs, garlic, and herbs. I then chop up the garlic and crisp herbs and toss them back onto the pan with butter. Then toss the meatballs with the garlicky butter to finish. This step is optional, but I think it really adds flavor and finishes the meatballs nicely.
Set 4: serve
Finish up the orzo by stirring in a splash of milk or cream. Stir until the orzo becomes very creamy.
Now it’s time to serve. I do the orzo first, then the meatballs over the orzo. Crumble fresh feta cheese over the entire bowl, add some of that garlic butter from the pan, and top with either basil or fresh dill. I love to use both if you have the option!
What I love most about this recipe is the fact that it’s a complete all-in-one dinner. It truly is no-fuss and is enjoyed by all. You can serve this up on busy weeknights, but it’s equally great for a summer dinner with friends in the backyard.
I also enjoy the fact that this dish is cozier, but still so wonderful for summer. Sometimes we crave a cozier dinner, even in the summer. This meatball and orzo is perfect for that!
Looking for other slow cooker meals? Here are a few ideas:
Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo
Creamy White Bean Noodle Soup with Rosemary Bacon.
Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo
Crockpot Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Ranch
Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta
Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Greek Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Orzo, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Greek Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Orzo
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 684 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken, pork, or turkey
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 8 cloves garlic, 2 chopped, 6 whole
- 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped
- 2 teaspoons sweet or regular paprika
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- kosher salt and black pepper
- chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- fresh basil and dill, for serving
Instructions
Crockpot
- 1. Add the chicken, parmesan, shallot, 2 chopped cloves of garlic, oregano, paprika, and balsamic vinegar to a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Mix to combine. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-16 meatballs). Drizzle with olive oil and place the meatballs in the bowl of your crockpot.2. Add the tomatoes. Pour over the wine and 1/2 cup water. Add the whole garlic cloves. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.3. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the meatballs and garlic from the slow cooker and place on a baking sheet.4. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the orzo, and 1 cup water. Cover and cook 20-30 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. If the orzo needs more liquid, add additional water. Stir in the milk/cream. 5. Arrange the butter, rosemary, and thyme, around the meatballs and garlic, then broil for 1-3 minutes, until crisp. Peel away the garlic skin, then chop and mix with the butter and herbs on the sheet pan. Toss the meatballs in the butter.6. Serve the meatballs over the orzo with feta cheese, fresh basil, and dill.
Instant Pot
- 1. Add the chicken, parmesan, shallot, 2 chopped cloves of garlic, oregano, paprika, and balsamic vinegar to a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Mix to combine. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-16 meatballs). 2. Set the instant pot to sauté. Add olive oil, then add the meatballs to the instant pot and sear until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes. Pour in the wine and 1/2 cup water. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the butter, whole garlic cloves, rosemary, and thyme. Let the butter brown for another 2-3 minutes. Cover and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.3. Once done cooking, release the steam. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Remove the garlic. Stir in the orzo, and 1 cup water. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Stir in the milk.4. Mash the garlic and stir into the orzo. Discard the herb stems. Serve the meatballs over the orzo with feta cheese, fresh basil, and dill
Stove-Top
- 1. Add the chicken, parmesan, shallot, 2 chopped cloves of garlic, oregano, paprika, and balsamic vinegar to a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Mix to combine. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-16 meatballs). 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, the meatballs, and sear until browned, about 5 minutes. Then add the tomatoes, butter, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Let the butter brown for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the garlic. 3. Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the orzo. Cook 1 minute, then pour in the wine and 1 1/2 cups water. Cook, stirring often, another 6-8 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Stir in the milk.4. Mash the garlic and stir into the orzo. Discard the herb stems. Serve the meatballs over the orzo with feta cheese, fresh basil, and dill.
This post was originally published on July 27, 2023
I made this tonight – it was delicious! I made the stove top version as I currently don’t have a crockpot. They only thing I did differently was use pipette pasta – my store did not have orzo! There was an incredible flavor from the browned meatballs and the white wine. I will definitely make this again!
Hi Tami,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was such a hit! Thanks so much for giving it a try!😎☀️ xT
Hi, this recipe looks delicious! Is it possible to brown the meatballs in a skillet first, then place into the crockpot? And, cook orzo as a side dish? I hate to use my broiler in the summer. I live where it’s triple digits!! Thank you
Hi Claudia,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this dish a try, I hope you love it! xx
Sub for dry white wine? 🙂
Hi Meagon,
Chicken broth is a great option to use in place of white wine:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this dish! xT
This looks super good and I will be making it tomorrow. May I suggest that when sizing recipes using “ground turkey/ground chicken” that the recipe be sized using either 1 lb. or 2 lb’s ground meat. Since ground turkey and chicken are both commonly sold in 1lb. packages, it would be simple to either half it or double it depending on how much you want to make. I happen to have 1 lb. of ground chicken, so when I make this I will try to calculate/guess with the measurement accordingly. Even if I had 2 lbs. I would rather use the 2 lbs. than have 1/2 lb. left over and then have to decide what to do with it. Thank you so much for all you’re wonderful recipes!
Thanks for sharing your feedback Mary Beth. 1 1/2 pounds of meat is what I found to work best for me, but you can always adjust to your liking:) Let me know if you give this dish a try, I hope you love it! xx
No mention of tomatoes in the instructions.
Add tomatoes when you add the orzo.
Hi Judy,
Sorry about that, the tomatoes are going to be added with the orzo in step 3. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
When do you add the tomatoes?
Looks like you add the tomatoes with the orzo, at least according to the instant pot and stovetop instructions.
Thanks Becky!!
Hi Beth,
The tomatoes are added with the orzo in step 3:) I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Step 3 instant pot, so I remove the garlic and add the orzo? I leave the meatballs in the instant pot and put orzo on top of that? I’m so confused lol.
Would love to make this, but would have to have a gluten-free version. Can risotto be used instead of orzo, and would that be a direct substitution? Or would the instructions change?
Hi Tara,
I’ve not tested this dish with risotto, it might cook differently than the orzo but could be a good option! I would also check your local grocery store for a gluten free orzo option. I hope this helps! xT
I found gluten free orzo that worked great !
Thanks so much for sharing Sandy!
There’s no mention of tomatoes in your directions for the slow cooker. I didn’t see if it was missing in the other options. I’m looking forward to making this. It looks good.
Hi Melissa,
The tomatoes are going to be added with the orzo in step 3:) I hope this helps, please let me know if you give this dish a try! xx
Question: in Stove Top, steps 2 and 3 — do you remove the meatballs before you add the orzo to cook the orzo? Then add the meatballs back to the orzo when you’re ready to serve? Thanks.
Hi Sam,
No need to remove the meatballs in the stove top version:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
I see where to add the tomatoes at the beginning, but it is missing in the step by step instructions!
Hi Kate,
The tomatoes are added in step 3 with the orzo:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Not a fan of Feta cheese. Do you have a recommendation for a different cheese?
Hi Karen,
Goat cheese would also be delicious here! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
You forgot to add the tomatoes into the directions for the crockpot
Hi Jackie,
You are going to add the tomatoes in step 3 with the orzo:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Recipe sounds amazing…I have a question:Instant Pot Step 3:
Cook the Orzo 6-8 minutes.Which mode?
Leave the saute mode or use pressure?
Thanks so much,looking forward!
Hi Sakura,
You will leave the instant pot at saute:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this dish! xT
I feel like you could add rice instead of orzo and cook it longer for gluten free. I might try it!
Sun dried tomatoes? What happened to the cherry tomatoes? And oregano? This looks to be a different recipe.
Hi Jackie,
This is a brand new recipe as of today, maybe you are thinking of a different dish? Let me know how I can help! xx
I hope you love the recipe Hannah! Let me know if you give it a try! xx
Teighan,
Is there a substitute I can use in some of your recipes for cheese? I do not like cheese at all, but not sure what to use for the consistency. For example, in your chicken meatball recipe.
Thanks for all you yummy recipes!
Deb Faight
Hi Deb,
So sorry, it really just depends on the recipe! For this dish, you could use breadcrumbs in place of the parmesan. I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT