Description
Slow-cooked tender chicken breasts with caramelized onions and mushrooms in a savory herb-infused broth, finished with creamy Parmesan orzo. A cozy, elegant dinner perfect for cool evenings.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
3 large onions, thinly sliced
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
1 tsp dried sage
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
½ cup dry white wine (optional)
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese
2 tbsp butter
Creamy Orzo
1½ cups orzo pasta
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Topping
1 baguette, sliced into cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
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Sauté onions and mushrooms: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook 8–10 minutes until soft and caramelized. Add mushrooms and cook another 5 minutes until browned. Stir in thyme, sage, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and white wine, scraping the pan to deglaze.
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Assemble crockpot: Layer chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour onion‑mushroom mixture over the top and add chicken broth and heavy cream.
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Cook: Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 2½–3 hours until chicken is tender.
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Prepare orzo: Near the end of cooking, simmer orzo in chicken broth until nearly tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in cream and Parmesan. Mix until creamy and thickened.
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Finish chicken: Preheat oven broiler (optional). Transfer cooked chicken and onions to a baking dish, sprinkle Gruyere on top, and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3–4 minutes.
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Make croutons (optional): Toss bread cubes in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 400°F for 7–10 minutes until golden.
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Serve: Spoon orzo into bowls or plates. Top with cheesy chicken, onions, and sauce. Garnish with croutons and fresh parsley.
Notes
Sauté onions deeply golden for flavor.
Use slow cooker to build layered taste.
Deglaze pan to enhance richness.
Broil Gruyere topping for classic French onion flavor.
Creamy orzo balances savory richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Dish, Chicken
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 865 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg
Keywords: french onion chicken, crockpot chicken orzo, creamy chicken dinner, slow cooker chicken recipe, gruyere chicken dish