Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Orzo
Tender chicken breast cooked low and slow with garlic, oregano, and lemon juice, stirred with delicate orzo pasta. A bright, satisfying Mediterranean dinner free of dairy, eggs, soy, and added sugar.
Prep
15 min
Cook
210 min
Total
225 min
Makes
4 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Kelly + Lila
Kelly created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
210 min
Total
225 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Whisk
Time saver
If preparing ahead for meal prep, add a splash of warm chicken broth when reheating to loosen the pasta.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
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Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Place 1
- 01
Place 1
Place 1.25 lbs (560g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the bottom of a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker.
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Whisk together 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth
In a measuring cup, whisk together 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth, 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp dried oregano, and 2 tbsp olive oil.
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Pour the liquid mixture over the chicken…
Pour the liquid mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
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Cover with the lid and cook on…
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours or HIGH setting for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer.
Look for: the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer
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Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a…
Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board using tongs. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
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Stir 1 cup (200g) dry orzo pasta…
Stir 1 cup (200g) dry orzo pasta directly into the hot liquid in the slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on HIGH setting for…
Cover and cook on HIGH setting for 20 to 25 minutes, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Look for: the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid
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Return the shredded chicken to the slow…
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and fold into the lemon orzo.
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Let rest for 5 minutes to allow…
Let rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly, then divide equally into 4 bowls and serve immediately. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Allow: 5 minutes
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