Slow-Cooker Chicken & Orzo with Tomatoes & Olives

4.2
(27)
24 Reviews

Perk up basic chicken breast and whole-wheat orzo with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, like lemon and olives. This load-and-go recipe makes a complete and satisfying meal; just add a green salad.

By
Carolyn Casner
Carolyn Casner

Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell. Over the years, she has tested and developed hundreds of recipes for the magazine and website.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 19, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
Nutrition Profile:
Nut-Free Dairy-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Soy-Free High-Fiber High-Protein Egg-Free Low-Calorie
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed

  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped

  • 1 medium onion, halved and sliced

  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon

  • 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ¾ cup whole-wheat orzo

  • ⅓ cup quartered black or green olives

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Cut each chicken breast half into 4 pieces. Combine the chicken, broth, tomatoes, onion, lemon zest, lemon juice, herbes de Provence, salt and pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cook on High for 1 hour, 30 minutes or on Low for 3 hours, 30 minutes. Stir in orzo and olives; cover and cook until the orzo is tender, about 30 minutes more. Let cool slightly. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

    Slow-Cooker Chicken & Orzo with Tomatoes & Olives

Recipe Updates

Based on earlier review and comments of this recipe, we've retested and made the following adjustments (and updated the nutritional analysis accordingly):

Decreased cook time by 30 minutes (to cook orzo to tender but not mushy).

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, December 2017; updated March 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

278 Calories
5g Fat
30g Carbs
29g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
Calories 278
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 29g 58%
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 63mg 21%
Vitamin A 725IU 14%
Vitamin C 18mg 20%
Folate 22mcg 6%
Sodium 434mg 19%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 2mg 9%
Magnesium 34mg 8%
Potassium 451mg 10%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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