Description
Warm up with this easy Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Orzo & Broccoli Soup recipe, perfect for cozy nights and effortless meals. This comforting slow-cooker dish combines tender chicken, flavorful orzo pasta, and bright, nutrient-packed broccoli in a creamy, savory broth. It’s an ideal well-rounded meal offering balanced nutrition, comforting flavors, and family-friendly appeal, perfect for busy evenings or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Chop onions and garlic finely, cut broccoli into bite-sized florets, and measure the orzo. Trim the chicken breasts or thighs, then season them with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor.
- Combine in the Crockpot: Layer the chicken, onion, garlic, broccoli, orzo, and chicken broth into the crockpot. Gently stir to evenly distribute all ingredients, ensuring great flavor melding during cooking.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 4 to 6 hours. This slow simmer tenderizes the chicken and blends the flavors deeply.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. This creates a rich, velvety broth that ties the dish together beautifully.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove the chicken to shred it with forks (or serve in whole pieces), then stir back into the soup. Ladle into bowls and enjoy.
Notes
- Use quick-cooking orzo to prevent over-softening during slow cooking.
- Add raw onions and garlic to let them cook fully in the broth for better flavor.
- Cut broccoli florets small for even cooking and slight crunch retention.
- Shred chicken after cooking to help it absorb flavors better.
- Stir in cream and cheese at the end to avoid curdling in slow cookers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: crockpot chicken soup, orzo soup, broccoli chicken soup, slow cooker soup, comfort food, easy dinner, creamy chicken soup, healthy soup
