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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
This one was a miss for me. I used the crockpot method and used cider and stock. Orzo came out creamy but odd tasting maybe biter. Chicken was dry. Bummer as I like how easy this was and all ingredients I had on hand.
Hi Alyssa,
Thanks so much for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, so very sorry to hear you didn’t love it!
Incredibly flavorful and delicious! The chicken was fork tender so I skipped broiling it and shredded it into the orzo instead. My family raved about this one. Thank you!
Hey Aimee,
Happy Monday! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks a lot for making it and your comment!
I usually like your recipes but this one is inedible if followed exactly. I am currently trying to salvage it but frankly it’s tough. Terrible taste. Do not recommend.
Hi Brittney,
So sorry to hear this! Is there something specific that I can help with? Please let me know!
Least favorite HBH recipe I’ve made. I really enjoy the HBH cookbooks. I’ve cooked numerous recipes from four cookbooks but this one didn’t work well. Chicken was tough and flavorless but more challenging was the texture of the orzo. This recipe just wasn’t a winner for my family.
Hi Jenny,
Very sorry to hear this. I appreciate you trying this dish and so many others! I hope you have a great evening!
Wanting to make this for a meal train recipe! Any suggestions on substituting the wine in the recipe?
Hey Corinne,
You can use broth in place of the wine. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Well I was going to leave a comment but your site refreshed after I wrote a long one and it’s gone. Ugh.
Good recipe. Comes together quickly and easily.
Hi Christy,
So sorry about that! Thanks for making this dish, I’m so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great Tuesday!
I’m considering this for an easy dinner party meal. Has anyone used skin-on chicken breasts or thighs? Thanks!
Hi Morgan,
I would recommend using skinless for this dish:) Please let me know if I can help in any other way!
I haven’t made this yet but was wondering if anyone used frozen chicken breasts?
Hi Laura, I would recommend thawing the chicken first. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I’ve made this recipe in the slow cooker with orzo and we loved it! Cooking for a friend who is gluten free, any guidance on substituting rice?
Hey Laura! If you want to maintain a creamy and comforting feel closer to the original, I’d go with arborio rice or short-grain white rice, using the same amount called for orzo and adjusting cooking time as needed (rice typically needs a bit longer than orzo). Let me know how it goes! 🙂 xT
My orzo took about 45 min to cook and there was a ton of liquid left I had to use a corn starch slurry to thicken it up. Flavors were good though!
Hi Shawna,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! So glad you enjoyed, sorry to hear the orzo took longer than expected! xx
Made this tonight in instant pot following all the directions. Used chicken broth instead of apple cider as that is all i had in April and used chicken broth instead of water to cook orzo. Family loved it and will be making again. Very flavorful and pretty easy as far as half baked harvest meals go for meal prep. Next time I might try chicken thighs per another review as that sounded wonderful with the mustard thyme on crispy chicken skin.
Hey Caroline,
Happy Tuesday!! Thanks for giving this recipe a try, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you!
Do you think I could substitute the broccoli for mushrooms or carrots ?
Hey Jessica,
Totally, any veggies you enjoy will work nicely:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Nutritional information plz especially sodium
Hi Sharon,
So sorry, I do not have that info at this time. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Did not love this. Orzo was gluey, broccoli wasn’t cooked, and had a weird taste overall
Hi Cassie,
So sorry to hear this! Thanks for trying this dish and sharing your feedback!
The flavour is lovely, however, somebody should test the stove top method. I had to add an extra 1.5 cups of water above what the recipe states just to keep the orzo from drying out.
The flavour is incredible though
Thanks!
Hey Julie,
Thanks so much for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear you had to add more liquid for the orzo. What kind did you use? xx
Hi Tieghan!! I am in Canada, so I used La Molisana brand Orzo N.65.
After I added the 1 cup water, I kept stirring and keeping an eye on it, and by the time I was done I had added an extra 1.5 cups water total. It still came out great, but, it was a VERY different amount of water!
Did I use the wrong kind of orzo?
Not at all, it could just be the difference in ingredients used in the pasta that made it cook different:)
I love this recipe! I just skip the sage. Could I substitute frozen broccoli when the store is out of fresh? Thanks!
Thanks so much, Mallory! Yes, frozen broccoli would be just fine for you to use:) Happy New Year! xT