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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
This was so delicious! Loved the slightly crunchy meatballs on the creamy orzo. I made it stove top as I forgot to start the crockpot early. Only change I made was I added all chicken broth for the wine and the water. I had a carton I needed to use the rest of before it went off. My son said that he hopes I make it again soon. My meatballs were NOT dry at all. Thanks again for your amazing receipes.
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! Happy to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
I’m giving it a 5 bc it was so good!! But I did find the meatballs a little dry, maybe it was the turkey, I’ll definitely try again w chicken!!!
Let me know how you like it with chicken! Thanks for giving the recipe a try! xT
Made the recipe using pound of ground turkey and 1/2 pound of ground pork. Meatballs cooked in the crock-pot tender and delicious! Cherry tomatoes popped in your mouth, so good. Was heavy handed with the fresh herbs, the broil was key at the end. Thank you for this easy yummy recipe. BTW made 18 meatballs had son & daughter in-law over for dinner not one meatball was left 🙂
Barb
Hey there! Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! I’m sooo glad you loved it! xT
So glad you loved this recipe Barbara! Thanks for giving it a try! xT
I made this last tonight and it was delicious! I made the stove top version and I realized after serving I forgot to put in the milk. It still turned out great. I would definitely make this again.
Hey there! Thanks so much for trying out the recipe! I’m sooo glad you loved it! xT
Can’t wait to try this recipe! It sounds delicious. Any recipe I try of yours is always a hit!
Keep up the tremendous work! It is clear you are passionate about what you do as your work is always fabulous! Don’t let the negative people bring you down with them!
Thank you so much Jena! I so appreciate your kind comment! xT
I’ve been cooking a long time and it had not occurred to me to add balsamic vinegar to a meatball mix! These were delicious! I even lightened up the recipe significantly by cutting the olive oil and butter amounts in half and used 93% ground turkey and this recipe is still a keeper! One negative though is that the orzo stuck to the instapot and I had to add alot more water and cook a little longer, but that is a minor concern. Next time I’ll make these on the stovetop in a different type of pot (Le Creuset) and it should not be a problem. Your recipes are very creative, mixing different ethnic touches together – basil in Greek dishes, coconut milk in non-Asian dishes, curry powder in non-Indian dishes, etc. Keep it up – it works!
Hey Beth! Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed the balsamic vinegar with the meatballs! And thanks for letting mw know about the orzo sticking!
I love most of your recipes but this one was a flop. The meatballs were dense. The entire dish was missing flavor. One star because it was edible.
Hey Kathleen, I am SO sorry to hear that this dish didn’t work out for you! xT
Loved it.
The instant pot instructions say to put the tomatoes in the pot in both steps 2 & 3. Can you clarify which way you think works better?
Three stars for the tasty creamy orzo! The chicken meatballs were a miss. Followed the directions precisely and they were flavorful but very dry. The broiler at the end didn’t help that situation. Too much butter and the herbs did not crisp up enough to incorporate them. I will not be making this again.
Hey Kay, I’m so sorry that this recipe didn’t turn out the way you hoped! Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it xT
Would subbing orzo for rice be okay? I struggle to find pasta that meets my dietary requirements
Hi! You might have to play around with the cook time for rice a bit, but I think that should be okay! xT
The orzo itself was to die for!! Threw in a parmesan rind to really amp it up. Only thing was I found it really didn’t need the dill and basil but that’s just tiny preference. Loved these and the whole family did too.
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! xT
Sooo good! Made it on the stove top and it was super easy. I kept the meatballs in the pan while the orzo was cooking and they turned out really well.
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe!! So glad you loved it! xT
I made this in the crockpot and it was SO good! Easy and delicious for a summer meal. I added zucchini in the crockpot towards the end to use up even more summer time veggies. Loved this and we will be making it again.
The cherry tomatoes were omitted in the crocknpot instructions. I presume they go in with the orzo as in the other cooking methods.
Sounds amazing with all the extra veggies! So glad you loved the recipe! xT
So this tastes amazing! I made the stove top version and the directions confused me a bit. It said sear the meatballs for 5 mins – but are you then supposed to leave them in the pot. Mine didn’t cook all the way. I then cooked them longer but saying to top your bowls with meatballs made it sound like I should take them out and then add again later. I ended up throwing them in the oven – much easier and will do that from the start next time. Flavors are amazing and i subbed for dry herbs.
Hey Chelsea! I’m so sorry for the confusion! Thanks for the tip of throwing them in the oven!
So for stovetop leave the meatballs in while orzo cooks? Thanks!
Hi! In the Instant Pot version, do we need to remove the meatballs before adding orzo to the pot?
Thanks so much!
Hey Jill! Yes, if you’re doing the instant pot version I would remove the meatballs and then serve them on top after the orzo is finished! xT