Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 4 hrs | Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins | Servings: 4
For an easy weeknight dinner, I present you with this easy Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms. Made with chicken thighs, mushrooms, and orzo pasta, this comforting dish is one heck of a meal that no doubt your family will love!
On a busy weeknight, we always resort to making easy meals that need minimal effort to prep just like this amazing recipe. This has been my family’s favourite for as long as I can remember. We all know that mushrooms and chicken are a classic combination, a no-fail, and to make this dish in a crockpot makes this even more appealing to busy moms like myself. For a healthy, easy, and complete meal, serve this with a spinach salad or roasted green beans.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 small onion (chopped)
8 oz. crimini mushrooms (sliced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
1 c. low sodium chicken broth
1 c. orzo pasta
grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley (optional, for serving)
How to make Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms
Step 1: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken thighs in the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until brown.
Step 2: When done, transfer the browned chicken to a slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Saute the onion and mushrooms in the same skillet, scraping the browned bits from the bottom. Cook the onions and mushrooms for about 3 minutes until they begin to soften and the onions are a bit brown. Add in the garlic and continue to cook for a minute more. Once done, transfer the onions, mushrooms, and garlic to the slow cooker.
Step 4: Add the dried oregano, garlic powder, paprika, and chicken broth to the slow cooker and gently stir.
Step 5: Set on low and cook for 4 to 5 hours or 2 to 2 1/2 hours on high until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reached at least 165 degrees F.
Step 6: Add in the orzo and stir well. Continue to cook for another 15 to 20 minutes on high until the orzo is tender. Note that the cooking time of the orzo depends on the slow cooker.
Step 7: When done cooking, garnish the chicken and mushrooms with grated Parmesan and some fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes:
If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can skip the browning step. And cooking the mushrooms, onions, and garlic is entirely optional. However, the cooking time is the same.
In a skillet, sear the bone-in chicken thighs to brown and crisp the skin. Adding an hour more to the cooking time might be needed.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving: 1/4 recipe | Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 322mg | Potassium: 831mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 164IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 8 oz. crimini mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 c. low sodium chicken broth
- 1 c. orzo pasta
- grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Step 1: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken thighs in the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until brown.
Step 2: When done, transfer the browned chicken to a slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Saute the onion and mushrooms in the same skillet, scraping the browned bits from the bottom. Cook the onions and mushrooms for about 3 minutes until they begin to soften and the onions are a bit brown. Add in the garlic and continue to cook for a minute more. Once done, transfer the onions, mushrooms, and garlic to the slow cooker.
Step 4: Add the dried oregano, garlic powder, paprika, and chicken broth to the slow cooker and gently stir.
Step 5: Set on low and cook for 4 to 5 hours or 2 to 2 1/2 hours on high until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reached at least 165 degrees F.
Step 6: Add in the orzo and stir well. Continue to cook for another 15 to 20 minutes on high until the orzo is tender. Note that the cooking time of the orzo depends on the slow cooker.
Step 7: When done cooking, garnish the chicken and mushrooms with grated Parmesan and some fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can skip the browning step. And cooking the mushrooms, onions, and garlic is entirely optional. However, the cooking time is the same. In a skillet, sear the bone-in chicken thighs to brown and crisp the skin. Adding an hour more to the cooking time might be needed.
