Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Orzo with Pesto Sauce

If you’re in the mood for a creamy, comforting dish with a bit of a twist, then you’re going to love this Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Orzo! It’s a delicious mix of pasta and risotto, with tender chicken, flavorful chorizo, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce that will have everyone coming back for seconds. This is one of my absolute favorite slow-cooker recipes, and it’s perfect for busy days when you want something hearty but easy to make.

Method in Detail

Start by cooking the chorizo. Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the chorizo for about 1 minute until it becomes nice and crispy. This will bring out its full flavor and give it a perfect texture that’ll blend beautifully into the dish later.

Next, it’s time to prepare the slow cooker. Transfer the crispy chorizo into the slow cooker. Add in the chicken breasts, making sure they are spread out evenly. Then, stir in the red pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, and basil (or mixed herbs) to give the base an aromatic and flavorful kick. Pour in 100ml of stock, and season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste. Mix everything together to make sure the chicken and chorizo are coated well with the pesto and seasonings.

Now, cook the chicken mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours. The chicken should be tender and cooked through, absorbing all the flavors of the chorizo and pesto. It’s crucial to check the chicken at the 2-hour mark if you’re cooking on high, to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

After the chicken has cooked, it’s time to add the orzo and stock. Stir in the dry orzo and pour in the remaining 700ml of stock. Add the chopped sweet peppers, which will infuse a subtle sweetness to balance the richness of the dish. Cover the slow cooker again and let it cook for an additional 50 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes to ensure the orzo cooks evenly, and to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker. By the end of this step, the orzo should be tender and have absorbed all the flavorful stock. Once the orzo is cooked to perfection, finish the dish by stirring in the spinach and double cream. The spinach will wilt beautifully, adding a pop of color and nutrition. For extra richness and a creamy finish, top the dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like. Stir everything together to create a luscious, creamy texture that will make each bite irresistible.

Necessary Tools

• Slow cooker (or crockpot)
• Chopping board and knife
• Measuring spoons
• Stirring spoon
• Grater (for Parmesan topping)

Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Orzo

Recipe by Simon Davies

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

3

hours 

Total time

3

hours 

15

minutes

Ingredients

• 3 x chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp red pesto

• 100g cooked chorizo

• Handful of sun-dried tomatoes

• 1 tbsp basil or mixed herbs

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 100ml of stock (plus 700ml for pasta)

• 230g of dry orzo

• 200ml double cream

• Handful of spinach or fresh basil

• Sweet peppers, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Cook the chorizo: Begin by cooking the chorizo in a pan for 1 minute until it gets nice and crispy.
• Prepare the slow cooker: Add the cooked chorizo to the slow cooker, along with the chicken breasts, red pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil (or mixed herbs), 100ml of stock, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook the chicken mixture: Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
• Add the orzo and stock: Stir in the dry orzo, 700ml of stock, and chopped sweet peppers. Let it cook for an additional 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed all the flavors.
• Finish the dish: Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the spinach and double cream. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese for an extra creamy finish if you like!

Notes

• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: The chicken will cook quickly in the slow cooker, so keep an eye on it, especially if you’re cooking on high. You don’t want it to become dry.
• Stir the Orzo Occasionally: When you add the orzo and stock, make sure to stir it every 15 minutes to ensure the orzo cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Adjust the Seasoning: Before serving, taste the dish and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. The chorizo can be a little salty, so be careful not to over-season.

Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Orzo is perfect on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of crispy garlic bread or a fresh salad to balance out the richness of the dish. It also pairs well with a chilled glass of white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, if you’re in the mood for a little extra indulgence.

Fun Fact

Did you know that orzo, despite its pasta-like appearance, is technically a type of rice? Its name comes from the Italian word for barley, “orzo,” because of its shape. It’s a fun ingredient to play with in different dishes like this one!

Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Orzo is the ultimate slow-cooker comfort food, perfect for those cozy nights when you want something hearty but hassle-free. With the rich flavors of pesto, chorizo, and sun-dried tomatoes, this dish is sure to become a new favorite. So next time you’re looking for an easy dinner that feels like a treat, give this recipe a try – your taste buds will thank you!