Next Post
Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
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 veggies 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.
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!
Any tips to do on the stove top?
Hey Nicole,
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 and cider. 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.
3. Serve the chicken over the orzo. Enjoy!
Hi! Just to ensure I understand, are we to leave or take out the chicken from the Dutch Oven before adding orzo, broccoli and water? Can we follow the crockpot method to finish the chicken in the broiler as well?
Hi Janet,
You are going to leave the chicken in the dutch oven. Sure, if you want to follow the crockpot instructions that will also work. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Can this be done in an oven? I do not have a slow cooker
Hey Gail,
I would follow these stove top instructions:
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 and cider. 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.
3. Serve the chicken over the orzo. Enjoy!
Can I replace orzo with rice?
Or quinoa!?
Yes, quinoa would work as well!
Hey Emma,
I would recommend using Arborio rice as that will have a similar cook time to the orzo. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Perfect thanks!
Can I replace orzo with rice??
Hey Emma,
I would recommend using Arborio rice as that will have a similar cook time to the orzo. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Looks great, but a question – in the Instant Pot directions, do you remove the chicken before adding the orzo and broccoli?
Last sentence of direction #3. “Stir in the cream and parmesan.”
Sorry, wrong post 🙁
Hey Jennifer,
Nope, you will just leave the chicken in the pot, so you can follow those instructions as is:) I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This recipe sounds amazing! I always love and appreciate how you incorporate veggies into whatever dish you’re making too. I’m headed to the store now to pick up the ingredients, but I would so appreciate it if you would post Dutch Oven Stovetop instructions too please so I don’t botch such a delicious looking recipe!
Same sounds soo delish but would love to try it on the stovetop!
Hey LeeAnn,
The stove top instructions have been added:)
Hey Alex,
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 and cider. 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.
3. Serve the chicken over the orzo. Enjoy!
I was wondering if it would make a difference if I use apple cider or apple cider vinager?
Hey there,
Yes, there would be a huge difference. You will want to use apple cider for this recipe, not apple cider vinegar. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Wait, 1 cup of water?
Where’s the coconut milk and Parmesan in the recipe?
Last sentence of direction #3: “Add cream and parmesan.”
Hi Melissa,
The cream and parmesan is also added in step 3 after the water. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can I use frozen chopped broccoli?
Hey Danielle,
Yes, that will be just fine for you to use. I hope this recipe turns out amazing, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This reads like it would be amazing but I don’t have either a slow cooker or an Instapot… do you think it could be made in a Dutch oven on the stove top?
Hi Sarah,
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 and cider. 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.
3. Serve the chicken over the orzo. Enjoy!
Is this skinless or skin-on boneless chicken breasts?
Hi Connie,
I used skin on for extra flavor, but skinless is also totally fine to use. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hello….any other veggie options besides broccoli? Could I do heirloom carrots or cauliflower?
Hey there,
Sure, either of those would work well here. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi! What’s your favorite wine to cook with? I’d like to have your top picks on hand, both white and red, please. LOVE the crockpot recipes, keep them coming! Making this tonight;) Thank you for all you do for everyone else; you make such a great difference! Happy fall, Kerry
Hi Kerry,
I typically like to use a dry white Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio and for red I like to use a Cabernet Sauvignon. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
is that hard cider or less filtered apple juice?
Hey Leisa,
For this dish I did not use hard cider, just regular apple cider. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Love the sound of this recipe but disappointed that there is no metric option!!
Hi, just an observation but if you go to print the recipe you have an option to change the measurements to metric. Have a nice day!
Hey Julie,
Sorry about that, will add the metric option!! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Would love to try this without the chicken, just with orzo and broccoli. Any tips? Thank you!
Hi Dena,
I would just completely skip the steps that involve the chicken. I hope it turns out okay, I have not tested this before:) xTieghan