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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 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!
I made this in the crockpot and it became super gummy. I think I over cooked it in the crockpot. I am going to try stove top tonight. Can I use a different pasta (fettuccine or rigatoni)?
Hey Maureen,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try, sorry to hear it came out gummy for you! I would use something smaller like mini shells or elbows. I hope this helps! xx
I made this in the instant pot (using broth instead of cider) and frozen diced broccoli. It was so good! Even my picky 7 & 8 yr old kids enjoyed it.
Hey Pamela,
Happy Friday!!❄️ Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx
Loved this recipe! The cider does add a special something! I only had frozen broccoli on hand and it worked just fine. I used both the wine and cider but curious what you’d recommend if omitting alcohol?
Hey Holly,
I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, love to hear that it was enjoyed! You can use more broth in place of the wine.❄️ xx
I used the crockpot for the recipe, then put the chicken in the oven for a few minutes, but it was dry when I tasted it. Where did I go wrong?
Hi Angy,
So sorry to hear about your chicken. Did you just broil it? The chicken should only be in the oven for 1-3 minutes. Let me know how I can help! xx
I made this tonight and I’m so sad I didn’t love it. It was just too vinegary for me and I felt like it drowned out all of the other flavors – I’m going to try to make this again but with the broth instead.
Love trying new things though!
Hey Renee,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try, so sorry to hear it didn’t turn out well for you! The recipe doesn’t call for vinegar, just regular drinking apple cider:) I hope this helps for next time! xT
Hi Tieghan, if I go the instant pot or dutch oven/stove top route, am I leaving the chicken in until the end? Rather than removing before adding broccoli and orzo per the slow cooker option. TIA!
Just came to make this also and was unsure… I’m going to remove chicken add and cook orzo and then add chicken back in. Not clear on the stovetop instructions
No need to remove the chicken:)
If I could give this negative stars I would. I normally wouldn’t leave a review but I really don’t want others to try this recipe. I followed it as written and it was awful. The chicken was dry, beyond dry—choke on it dry (and I only broiled it for a min)— my three kids wouldn’t eat it. At all. The orzo was soupy and gummy and just terrible. I am so disappointed— the flavors were off and I can usually make something work, but this was inedible. Will be throwing out all the leftovers and I hate wasting food. I have tried other recipes of yours and have had success, but this one was *not* a winner.
Hi Jennie,
So sorry for the trouble. Was there anything you may have adjusted in the recipe or anything that I can help with? Please let me know! xx
Hey Lori,
Yes, that is correct, you do not need to remove the chicken for those cooking methods:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
It’s really good but I think I’ll substitute the apple cider for chicken broth next time, it was a bit too tangy for me.
Hey Francesca,
Awesome!! 🍂 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xx
Any thoughts with frozen chicken??
Hey Stephanie,
You will want to thaw the chicken first:) I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Can you use chopped frozen broccoli, or should it be fresh?
Hey Danielle,
Chopped, frozen broccoli would be just fine for you to use! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Made this tonight for the fam and the neighbors. Everyone loved it! I have never made a bad recipe from this site and I’m continuously impressed by everything we try. Thank you!
Hey Kolleen,
Happy Sunday!! I truly appreciate you giving this a try and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed:) xx
Absolutely loved this recipe! I didn’t have the thyme or rosemary so I used an Italian & poultry seasoning, and did it on the stove top. I love the taste of the lemon. It was quick, easy and delicious! I will try the slow cooker next time.
Hey Julie,
Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:)
Made this on the stove top yesterday for lunch and it was great! I followed the recipe exactly (used chicken broth in place of the wine since that’s what I had on hand) and it turned out perfectly. The apple cider gives it just a hint of sweetness and the broccoli was a great addition, it was the perfect comfort meal for a chilly, rainy day! My one-year-old was requesting more bites of orzo and my husband agreed that it’s a winner!
Hey Tara,
Happy Friday!!🌻 I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for trying it and sharing your review:) xT
Unfortunately this recipe didn’t do it for me. Idk if it was the tangy when I really wanted creamy that threw me off? That said the recipe (Mexican street corn dip) of yours I did from you earlier this week was phenomenal! Can’t wait to continue trying your recipes!
Hey Anne,
So sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed!! Thanks so much for giving it a try, please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
My chicken is in the crock pot now. Hoping for an amazing (as always) half baked harvest recipe. I have to question your rating, you gave this 1 star because it was tangy? Just trying to understand such a low rating. Anything additional that you want to add?
For the instalat dorections:
When putting the orzo in do I take the chicken out before? And do I put the cap on for the sautéing of the orzo or leave it open ?? Thanks!
Hey Allyna,
You are going to leave the chicken in the pot and no need to add the lid:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this dish! xx
The Orzo didn’t turn out right for me. I ended up dumping the juice from the chicken and just added the orzo, broccoli, and water to the crockpot. Clearly not enough water. Had to add more water. Went back and I see in your write up you did mention to dump the orzo into the chicken juice but it wasn’t included in your step by step directions. Please include “Keep Juices from the chicken” in your steps for us really busy folks.
It didn’t turn out right for me either, and I put it in with the chicken juice and more water. It got very very thick very quickly 🙁
Hi Randall,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear this wasn’t enjoyed. If I wanted you to dump the juices I would have instructed that:) Let me know if I can help in any other way! xx