Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Orzo

Ingredients

• 1.25 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (Use 1–1½ lb; add whole to the slow cooker, then shred or chop after cooking.)
• 0.5 sweet onion (Diced.)
• 0.5 cup shredded carrots
• Chicka Licka Bam Bam Chicken Rub (Season to taste; the rub contributes salt.)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp chicken bouillon powder (Choose a bouillon appropriate for the desired salt level.)
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1.5 cup chicken broth (The source references Kettle & Fire chicken broth.)
• 2 cup broccoli (Cut into small florets if using a whole head.)
• 1 cup orzo (Add dry.)
• 8 oz cheddar cheese (Freshly shredded; reserve additional cheese for topping if desired.)
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• salt (Add to taste at the end only if needed; the bouillon and chicken rub may already provide enough salt.)

Steps

1. 1

   Place the chicken breasts, diced sweet onion, shredded carrots, chicken rub, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken bouillon powder, paprika, black pepper, and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Arrange the chicken so it is mostly surrounded by the broth and seasonings.

2. 2

   Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through, tender, and easy to pull apart. For food safety, verify that the thickest part reaches 165°F / 74°C.

3. 3

   Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board. Shred it with two forks or chop it into bite-size pieces, then return it to the slow cooker and stir it into the cooking liquid.

4. 4

   Add the dry orzo, broccoli florets, heavy cream, and freshly shredded cheddar to the slow cooker. Stir carefully so the orzo is distributed through the liquid and the cheese begins to melt.

5. 5

   Cover and cook on HIGH for about 30 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking, until the orzo is tender and the broccoli is cooked. Watch closely near the end because the orzo absorbs liquid quickly; if it becomes too thick before the orzo is tender, loosen it with a small amount of broth.

6. 6

   Taste the finished dish before adding salt. Because the chicken bouillon and chicken rub already contain salt, add only as much additional salt as necessary.

7. 7

   Serve hot, topping each portion with additional shredded cheddar if desired.

Notes

The recipe can be cooked on LOW or HIGH as specified, but the orzo stage should be cooked on HIGH for approximately 30 minutes and monitored carefully. Serve promptly for the best orzo texture; it will continue to absorb liquid as it stands.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• slow-cooker
• crockpot
• comfort food
• family-friendly
• chicken
• one-pot
• school-night dinner