Easy Mediterranean Chicken & Orzo Slow Cooker Recipe
Transform your dinner routine with this Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo slow cooker recipe! Featuring tender chicken thighs, perfectly cooked orzo, briny olives, and fresh spinach, all topped with tangy, salty feta. It’s a hands-off meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
I’m always looking for ways to put wholesome, flavorful meals on the table without spending too much time in the kitchen. This Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo recipe has become one of our family’s favorite dinners because it combines the ease of slow cooking with the bright, fresh flavors of Mediterranean cuisine.
I love how the chicken becomes tender and infused with herbs, while the orzo soaks up all the delicious flavors. Plus, the addition of a healthy amount of spinach and tomatoes helps me sneak in extra vegetables for the kids!
Not to mention—fewer dishes are used because you’re cooking this Mediterranean chicken orzo recipe in the slow cooker all day. Give me a one-pan meal anytime! Perfect for the entire family on a chilly day or a perfect weeknight dinner to add to the rotation. We also love Hidden Veggie Sloppy Joes and Fall-Apart Roast for busy weeknights!
What Is Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo?
Mediterranean chicken and orzo is a comforting one-pot meal (and a great recipe!) that brings together tender, slow-cooked, and juicy chicken thighs with orzo pasta in a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired broth.
The dish features classic Mediterranean ingredients like Kalamata olives, fresh spinach, and crumbled feta cheese, creating layers of flavor that develop as everything cooks together. The orzo pasta, added near the end of cooking, absorbs the rich broth and creates a satisfying texture that’s both hearty and elegant.
Serve with a dry white wine if that’s your thing! Our favorites are from Dry Farms Wines.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Mediterranean chicken and orzo recipe is perfect for busy families who want a nutritious, flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish while you go about your day. I especially love how this recipe helps me serve a balanced meal with protein, vegetables, and grains all in one pot. A few more reasons why you’ll want to make this dish?
- It’s effortlessly elegant: The slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated meal that the whole family will love.
- It contains family-friendly nutrition: This recipe is packed with protein, vegetables, and whole grains, which helps keep bellies full longer.
- You benefit from its make-ahead magic: It’s absolutely perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
- It’s budget-conscious: This recipe uses accessible ingredients and makes the most of chicken thighs.
- You can customize it: This recipe is easily adaptable to your family’s taste preferences.
Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: I like to use the bone-in and skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. If you don’t have those you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Orzo pasta: Thrive Market has some delicious selections and a few alternatives.
- Chicken broth: I like to add bone broth for extra nutrients. My favorite brand is Kettle & Fire from Thrive Market. You can also use chicken stock if you’re looking for a deeper flavor.
A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.
Tools You Will Need
The easiest way to make this recipe is in a slow cooker! This cooking method means you get a delicious, creamy chicken orzo and a one-pot meal! I don’t acutally have a slow cooker. I use my Instant Pot and the glass lid so that it cooks on medium-low heat like a slow cooker!
Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo Variations
- Veggie boost: Add artichoke hearts, roasted red bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Protein swap: Use chicken breasts or Italian sausage instead of thighs.
- Grain alternatives: Substitute quinoa or small pasta shapes for the orzo.
- Dairy-free option: Skip the feta and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Spicy twist: Add red pepper flakes or harissa paste for heat.
Why Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Chicken Breasts?
Chicken thighs are the secret to this recipe’s success! They’re more forgiving in the slow cooker because their higher fat content helps them stay tender and juicy during long cooking times. While chicken breasts can easily become dry, thighs actually become more tender and flavorful as they cook.
The dark meat also adds richness to the broth, infusing the orzo with more flavor. Not only that, but chicken thighs are often more budget-friendly than breasts, making this dish both delicious and economical.
What Ingredients Can I Substitute?
- Pasta options: While orzo is traditional, any small pasta shape—or short-cut pasta—like small shells or ditalini works well.
- Cheese choices: Not a fan of feta? Try crumbled goat or shaved Parmesan cheese.
- Briny olives alternatives: Swap Kalamata olives for green olives, black olives (pictured below!), or capers for a similar briny flavor.
- Greens: Replace spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or collard greens.
- Broth options: Use vegetable broth or white wine (like a Pinot Grigio) for part of the liquid.
- Fresh herbs: Add fresh basil, oregano, or dill at the end for brightness.
- Tomato options: Replace diced tomatoes with cherry tomatoes.
How To Store and Reheat?
Fortunately, this Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop and improve overnight! When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to loosen the orzo, as it will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until just warmed through.
While you can freeze the chicken and vegetables, the orzo’s texture may change slightly upon thawing, so consider cooking fresh pasta if freezing the base.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I prep this ahead of time? Yes! Combine all ingredients except orzo and spinach the night before. Refrigerate and start cooking the next day.
- My orzo seems dry…what should I do? Add hot broth or water, 1/4 cup at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- Is this recipe gluten-free? It’s not as written, but you can use gluten-free orzo or another gluten-free small pasta.
- How do I know when the chicken is done? It should easily shred with two forks and register 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer.
I hope you love this recipe!
Mediterranean Chicken & Orzo Slow Cooker Recipe
This Mediterranean slow cooker chicken and orzo recipe combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and classic Mediterranean ingredients for an effortless yet impressive meal.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- Fresh lemon juice (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken and Veggies
- Place the chicken thighs in a large slow cooker. Season them with salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, and red pepper flakes (if using). Drizzle with olive oil to enhance the flavor and moisture.
2. Layer the Ingredients
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic over the chicken.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, including the juice, and sprinkle in the sliced olives. Stir gently to combine.
- Pour the chicken broth (or water) around the ingredients to help everything cook evenly.
3. Slow Cook
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through. The chicken should easily be shredded with a fork when done.
4. Add the Orzo and Spinach
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the orzo pasta and chopped spinach. If the mixture seems dry, add a little more broth or water.
- Cover so the orzo cooks in the slow cooker until tender, about 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
5. Finish and Serve
- Once the orzo is cooked, gently stir the chicken to shred it into pieces. Mix everything together, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top for a creamy, tangy touch.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
6. Serve
- Serve the Mediterranean chicken and orzo hot, garnished with extra olives, feta, or olive oil. For an extra pop of flavor, add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, marinate the chicken thighs with some olive oil, garlic, oregano, and lemon juice (or add a little lemon zest) for a few hours before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Add more veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, or artichokes for added Mediterranean flair.
- Serve with a dry white wine if that's your thing! Our favorites are from Dry Farms Wines.
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