Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Orzo with Broccoli
Tender chicken breast cooked with garlic, oregano, and lemon juice, stirred with tender orzo pasta and fresh steamed broccoli florets. Bright, comforting, and fully free of dairy, eggs, soy, and added sugar.
Prep
10 min
Cook
265 min
Total
275 min
Makes
1 serving
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
Everyday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
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
10 min
Cook
265 min
Total
275 min
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Equipment
Basic kitchen utensils
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
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
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Place 150g (5
- 01
Place 150g (5
Place 150g (5.3 oz) skinless chicken breast into the slow cooker pot.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
Add 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped), 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 tbsp (30ml) fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil, and 200ml (0.8 cup) chicken broth to the pot.
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Cover with the lid and cook on…
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 hours (or HIGH for 2 hours) until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily with two forks.
Look for: the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily with two forks
Tap card to mark done - 04
Remove the chicken to a plate
Remove the chicken to a plate, shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 05
Add 50g (1
Add 50g (1.8 oz) dry orzo pasta directly into the warm liquid in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 to 25 minutes until the orzo is tender.
Look for: the orzo is tender
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Place 100g (3
While the orzo cooks, place 100g (3.5 oz) broccoli florets into a steamer basket set over a pot with 1 inch (2.5cm) of boiling water. Cover and steam for 4 to 5 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green.
Look for: tender-crisp and bright green
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Stir the steamed broccoli gently into the…
Stir the steamed broccoli gently into the slow cooker with the chicken and orzo until combined.
Look for: combined
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Serve hot
Serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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