Description
Creamy crockpot chicken and Gruyère orzo brings comfort from your kitchen to the dinner table. Cheesy pasta meets tender chicken in this simple, hearty meal that promises satisfaction with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Grains and Pasta:
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
Liquids:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- In a skillet heated to medium-high temperature, sear seasoned chicken thighs in olive oil until golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer browned chicken to the crockpot.
- Using the same skillet, caramelize onions until translucent, then incorporate minced garlic and mushrooms, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to develop robust flavors.
- Transfer sautéed vegetables over chicken in the crockpot, then layer uncooked orzo, dried thyme, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Gently mix ingredients to ensure even distribution.
- Cover crockpot and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, allowing chicken to become supremely tender and fully cooked.
- Once cooking completes, fold in shredded Gruyere cheese until completely melted, creating a luxuriously creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Plate the dish immediately, garnishing with fresh thyme sprigs for an aromatic touch. Serve hot and savor the rich, comforting flavors.
Notes
- Enhance chicken browning by patting the meat dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and lock in maximum flavor.
- Swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts for a leaner protein option, but reduce cooking time to prevent drying out the meat.
- Consider using lactose-free cream and dairy-free cheese alternatives to make this recipe suitable for individuals with dairy sensitivities.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini during the last hour of cooking to boost nutritional value and create more texture variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg