Oregano Chicken with Orzo

Submitted by ratherbeswimmin

"A Greek influenced chicken dish with my favorites: olives and feta cheese. An easy slow-cooked dinner that tastes like you spent a lot of time in the kitchen."

 

• Ready In: 6hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 medium skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lb.)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium fennel bulb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon granules
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• 1 1⁄3 cups orzo pasta
• 1 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1⁄4 cup chopped pitted ripe olives
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano

directions

1. Brown chicken breasts in hot oil in a large skillet; drain off fat.
2. Add the fennel, onion, and garlic to a 4-quart slow-cooker.
3. Add the chicken breasts.
4. In a small bowl, add the water, balsamic vinegar, bouillon granules, dried oregano (if using), and crushed red pepper flakes; stir to mix then pour over chicken.
5. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
6. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (if using); check for seasoning and add salt/pepper if desired.
7. Prepare orzo according to package directions; drain.
8. Add tomato, cheese, olives, and remaining fresh oregano into orzo; stir to combine; season with salt/pepper if desired.
9. Serve chicken and vegetables with orzo.

Reviews

[Messy44]

This is a great recipe. I actually got it from Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes -- very glad you posted it! Thanks!

 

[LoLoM]

Excellent recipe! I used regular balsamic vinegar and baked it in a Dutch oven for 3 hours at 275 degrees. I forgot the tomatoes, but the feta and olives in the orzo are nice salty/tangy bites that cut the richness of the chicken. I think next time I will try cooking the orzo directly in the broth left over from cooking the chicken. Thanks!