Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo Recipe
This Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken with Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender chicken breasts, fragrant Italian herbs, tangy crushed tomatoes, briny olives, and hearty orzo pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses a slow cooker to meld Mediterranean flavors into a warm, satisfying dish that pairs beautifully with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
- 3 large chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
- 660 ml (23 oz) strained crushed tomatoes (tomato passata)
- 2 teaspoons homemade Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup dried orzo pasta
- 12-15 large olives
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Lay the quartered onion petals across the bottom of the slow cooker to create a flavorful base layer.
- Add chicken and seasoning: Place the chicken chunks on top of the onions and season with sea salt and ground black pepper evenly.
- Add tomato and herbs: Pour the strained crushed tomatoes (passata) over the chicken, then sprinkle the homemade Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick. Cover with the lid.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cook on high heat in the slow cooker for 2 1/2 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and the flavors to develop fully.
- Add pasta and olives: Stir in the dried orzo and olives to the slow cooker contents. Replace the lid and continue cooking for another 30 minutes until the orzo is tender and has absorbed the delicious sauce.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the Mediterranean chicken and orzo hot, complemented by a fresh side salad or steamed green vegetables for a balanced meal.
Notes
- Use homemade Italian seasoning or a store-bought blend containing basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram for authentic Mediterranean flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness or omit if you prefer a mild dish.
- Ensure the orzo is fully cooked; if not tender after 30 minutes with the lid on, cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- This dish can be easily doubled to serve more people by increasing ingredients proportionally and using a larger slow cooker.
- For a low-sodium option, reduce or omit added salt and use low-sodium crushed tomatoes and olives.
