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Slow Cooker Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo. Turning a classic dinner recipe into an easy slow cooker meal using white wine, creamy Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, and orzo. I even added in some vibrant broccoli for added vegetables and color. This slow-cooked chicken dinner is a hearty and delicious meal to come home to at the end of a busy day. And the best part? It’s the easiest dinner to prepare. You simply can’t go wrong with a dinner like this herby chicken and creamy orzo.
Breaking out a slow cooker recipe today and it’s not even October. Yes, it may be a bit early. But I’m pretty sure that most of us appreciate a good slow cooker dinner almost any time of the year. They’re just so easy!
This is one of those dishes that I’ve been wanting to make for the longest time now. But I told myself to hold off until the autumn days started to set in. It’s just so cozy and perfect for fall. It’s creamy, herby, a touch buttery, and has the BEST flavor. I love the fact that the chicken and orzo are cooked together in the slow cooker. It makes everything come together effortlessly.
It’s loosely inspired by my French wine and mustard chicken, but it’s made with a few additions…that I think, make it even better!
This is perfect for this time when the days might be warmer, but the nights are cooler. It’s going to be great all fall and winter long. Plus, you can easily package leftovers in an airtight container to keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, you could even pop this in the freezer for a last minute meal.
Here are the details
As you can imagine, this is really simple. Just place the chicken in the crockpot and rub it with olive oil and that mustard. Then add a ton of fresh thyme, sage, and garlic.
Now, pour in the wine and apple cider, then add some shallots.
I love to use apple cider in this for a slight air of warming fall flavor. It pairs so wonderfully with the white wine, herbs, and mustard. I know it sounds odd, but trust me, the apple cider adds such a nice flavor.
At this point, just cover the crockpot and cook. You can speed things up by cooking on high, or go low and slow. Alternately, you can use the instant pot, but I do prefer the crockpot method.
When the chicken has cooked, pull it out and set it on a small sheet pan.
Now the orzo
Here’s where the orzo comes in. Add the orzo to all the yummy broth in the crockpot along with some broccoli. Now simply cover and cook a few minutes longer, until the orzo is al dente.
Meanwhile, I love to add a little butter to the chicken. Then throw it under the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up. This is totally optional, but I do think it adds to the dish.
When the orzo is finished, add in a touch of cream and parmesan too.
And now serve it up!
So simple and quick with barely any clean-up and minimal hands-on time.
The simplest dinner, and so great for busy weeknights…hearty, creamy – and so freaking good!
Looking for other slow cooker meals? Here are a few ideas:
Slow Cooker Saucy Sunday Bolognese Pasta
Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese
Lastly, if you make these Slow Cooker Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy 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!
Check out our How-To Video:
Slow Cooker Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 641 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 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
- 2 shallots, quartered
- 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup apple cider or chicken broth (do not use vinegar)
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1/3 cup heavy cream or canned full fat coconut milk
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, rub the chicken with the olive oil, mustard thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over the wine, cider and lemon juice. Add the shallots. Cover and cook on low for 3- 4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours. 2. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker place it on a baking sheet. 3. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the orzo, broccoli, 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 cream and parmesan.4. Place the butter on the chicken, then broil 1-3 minutes, until crisp. Serve the chicken over the orzo. Enjoy!
Instant Pot
- 1. Set the instant pot to sauté. Rub the chicken with the olive oil, mustard thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the instant pot and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Pour in the wine, cider and lemon juice. Add the shallots and butter. Cover and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.2. Once done cooking, release the steam. Set the Instant pot to sauté. Stir in the orzo, broccoli, and 1 cup water. Cook 6-8 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Stir in the cream and parmesan.3. Serve the chicken over the orzo. Enjoy!
Stove-Top
- 1. Heat a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Rub the chicken with the olive oil, mustard thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the pot and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the wine, cider and lemon juice. Add the shallots and butter. Cover and cook 10 minutes. 2. Stir in the orzo, broccoli, and 1 cup water. Cook, stirring often, another 6-8 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Stir in the cream and parmesan.3. Serve the chicken over the orzo. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on September 27, 2021
Wanted to love this but it was a miss for our family. Used apple cider, not ABV and we had immediate indigestion with this. The orzo was so gluey and paste-like. Something made the entire recipe very bitter…perhaps the broccoli and (my fault) being slightly underdone? Or it was the orzo. Making the pasta outside of the pot as a side would have been better.
I will say, A+ 10/10 the way the chicken actually cooked. I loved that and finishing it in the oven for a little crisp. Ours was not dry. I would do that over and over again with the right flavors.
Something was just amiss with this one – won’t be remaking. But do love the herbaceous chicken idea and cooking in a crockpot and finishing in the oven and using the crockpot liquids for a sauce.
Loved this meal! Unique flavor, but so good for fall. Made this on the stove top. Only thing I did differently is roast the broccoli in the oven and throw it in at the end. Came together so easily. Would absolutely make again!
Hi Rachel! I am so sorry to hear that this chicken didn’t turn out the way that you hoped! Please let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Was a bit apprehensive after reading so many negative reviews, but cooked this in the slow cooker this evening and it turn out delightful. Please don’t give up on the slow cooker version (or any version!) of this recipe. It’s delicious – subtle herbal, mustard and sweet apple undertones – and the perfect fall comfort food. A couple of suggestions for those who’d like to try the slow cooker: I did use 6 bone-in thighs instead of breasts (simply because I prefer oilier meat); substituted chicken broth for wine (again, just personal preference); and cooked the dish for only 2 hours total, on high. Added the broccoli in at the 45-minute-left mark to let it cook a little longer, then added the orzo at the 30-minutes-left mark (like the recipe calls for) – but without an additional cup of water at the end – and it was just perfect. No gummy-ness, but creamy and flavorful. The dish is versatile that you can add a little more mustard and/or herbs or red pepper flakes, whatever you prefer. (Next time I might even experiment with adding thinly sliced apples at the end!) Tweak it to make it yours – but definitely make it!
Magnificent! My family TORE IT UP! I did cook the chicken and such in the slow cooker but finished by removing the chicken to the broiler and putting the remaining ingredients on the stove top. I added the 1C hot water as the orzo cooked and then the cream Til it was al dente.
Super great! We will be doubling the recipe next time!
This was just ok for us. I used apple cider (not acv) so that wasn’t the problem, it was just kind of bland. The chicken got a little dry, issue of the slow cooker, and there was little to no flavor. We added more parm than I’d like to admit and a ton of red pepper flakes. I wanted to love it because it was so easy, but I’ll find something different next time.
Same issue with the orzo here in the slow cooker. It was a big gluey mess. Also too acidic so I’d sub out the apple cider vinegar with broth and do it on the stove top with less liquid. Thumbs down for this one, but so many other great recipes on HBH!
I think you are supposed to use 1 cup apple cider, like the sweet stuff. Not ACV 😐
Made the stovetop version last night and we LOVED it. I roasted the broccoli separately to add a bit of texture and mixed it in at the end with the cream and parm, but otherwise followed the recipe. Surprised to see so many negative reviews as this was another winner in our house!
Made this tonight and the flavor was great. The only problem I ran into was that it was very thin/more brothy than creamy. I ended up removing the orzo and liquid and having to boil on the stove for a few but then everything turned out.
Wish I had read some of the comments from others before making this one. Like others, my crockpot version of this did not turn out well. The chicken was actually delicious (and I think broiling crockpot chicken might be a continued tradition in our home moving forward), but the orzo was a mess. The liquid to pasta ratio was off and the apple cider was way too acidic with not much to balance it out. The recipe might be saveable without the apple cider and either more orzo/different pasta shape. Tieghan has some great skillet chicken recipes, I would recommend one of those instead.
Hi Bee! I am so sorry to hear that this recipe was not enjoyed. Is there anything I can do to help with this? xTieghan
I tried the stovetop version and it turned out really well! To boost the taste I added a bit more dijon and red chili pepper flakes just before serving – would highly recommend. Thank you for this recipe! 🙂
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂 xTieghan
We made this last night for dinner and loved it! Both of my kids enjoyed it, and my husband commented on how much more flavor density it has than most crockpot meals.
I followed the slow cooker version and changed the following:
Could not find apple cider at the store, so I subbed in vegetable broth.
As others have reported, the orzo and broccoli were not quite cooked enough at the 25 minute mark, so I let those hang out in the crockpot for an extra ten minutes, and that solved the “gumminess” issue of the orzo for us. It probably could have even taken another 5-10 minutes for the broccoli, but we like ours with a little crispness. I also threw in a handful of cherry tomatoes for brightness when I added the broccoli to the slow cooker.
This was great, and I’d definitely do it again.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t a success in this house. My husband, who eats everything and never complains, actually asked that I not make this again. To be fair, I don’t know exactly what the issue was, and I didn’t try it myself, as I had to attend a meeting but my husband and son both gave it a thumbs down. Most HBH recipes are winners, though, so this is just a fluke, I think.
Hi Chris! I am so sorry to hear that this recipe was not enjoyed, is there anything I can do to help with this? 🙂 xTieghan
Crockpot version didn’t turn out anything like the picture. Couldn’t ever get the orzo to be creamy and it all took twice as long even using the tail end of the suggested times. Not creamy. I would try on the stovetop just to control some of the factors. The flavors were good but consistency was waaay off
I was very disappointed with this recipe as I usually love all Half Baked Harvest recipes. As most said, my chicken was delicious. Super moist and loved the crisp skin. Definitely added more salt. The orzo was a complete mess. I don’t know that it works to cook pasta in a slow cooker. It was a gluey gooey mess. It did not cook in the 20-30 minutes. When I did a longer time it just became goofier and the noodles still didn’t seem to be cooked all the way through. The taste was also very odd. I followed the exact recipe with apple cider and it was bland and bitter. I tried to fix it (which usually I can do with most recipes) but this was beyond repair. If I were to make it again I would skip the crock pot completely do it all on the oven and stovetop. I think the crockpot is unnecessary.
Gooier* not goofier
I made this tonight for supper on the stove! It was phenomenal!!! The only thing I did was to roast the broccoli separately. Everyone enjoyed it. Thank you!
Oh and I used apple juice instead of cider because it’s what I had.
It’s a shame that so many people had trouble with this recipe! It turned out really well for us. I used thinner chicken breasts, and cooked in the slow cooker on high for 2 hours. Instead of broiling, I just threw the chicken in a pan for a quick sear on the stove top and it was perfect. The orzo was rich and creamy and even my 18 month old ate it!
Orzo was sour, but on accident my husband and I *each* put in the juice of one lemon. Chicken ended up being dry even though we only broiled it quickly. I really think the orzo would have been great if we didn’t double lemon juice. Not sure what to do about the chicken. I let it cook in the crock for about 4 hours. Maybe we’d take it out sooner next time?