Slow-Cooked Comfort: Dairy-Free French Onion Chicken & Orzo Delight! 🍲🧄🍁

Here’s a dairy-free twist on Slow Cooker Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo that’s rich, savory, and cozy for a cool fall evening. This recipe uses coconut milk and nutritional yeast to create a creamy sauce that brings all the flavors together while keeping it free from dairy. Simple, flavorful, and perfect for a warm, comforting meal!

Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 679 (approximate)

Ingredients:

• 3-4 yellow onions, thinly sliced

• 6 tbsp dairy-free butter (or coconut oil)

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs

• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 cup dry white wine (or extra chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version)

• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

• 2 cups sliced mushrooms

• 2 cups dry orzo pasta

• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk (canned)

• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast (for a cheesy, dairy-free flavor)

Instructions:

For the Slow Cooker:

1. Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
   In the bowl of your slow cooker, layer the sliced onions and 3 tablespoons of the dairy-free butter. Place the chicken on top and season with fresh thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over the wine (or extra broth) and the chicken broth. Add the mushrooms.

2. Cook the Base
   Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

3. Prepare the Orzo
   Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker along with most of the onions, and place them on a baking sheet.

4. Cook the Orzo in the Broth
   Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the orzo and an additional 1 cup of water. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes or until the orzo is al dente. If the orzo absorbs all the liquid too quickly, add a little more water as needed.

5. Add Creaminess
   Stir in the coconut milk and nutritional yeast to create a creamy, savory texture.

6. Broil the Chicken and Onions
   Preheat the broiler to high. Dot the onions with the remaining 3 tablespoons of dairy-free butter on the baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes until the edges begin to brown.

7. Serve
   Serve the broiled chicken and onions over the creamy orzo. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy!

For the Stove Top:

1. Cook Onions and Chicken
   In a large soup pot, melt 3 tablespoons of the dairy-free butter over medium heat. Add the onions, stirring every 3-4 minutes, until golden (about 10 minutes). Add the chicken, thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour in the wine (or broth) and additional broth. Add mushrooms and simmer, covered, for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked.

2. Broil the Chicken and Onions
   Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the chicken and most of the onions from the pot and transfer to a baking sheet. Dot with the remaining dairy-free butter and broil for 3-5 minutes.

3. Prepare the Orzo
   Meanwhile, cook the orzo according to package directions. Mix in the mushrooms and any remaining cooking liquid from the pot.

4. Add Dairy-Free Creaminess
   Stir the coconut milk and nutritional yeast into the orzo for a creamy texture and “cheesy” flavor.

5. Serve
   Plate the broiled chicken and onions over the orzo, garnish with fresh thyme or sage if desired, and enjoy!

This cozy Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo is loaded with fall flavors and just a hint of a dairy-free “cheesy” flair from the nutritional yeast. Perfect for family meals or even as a dish to impress guests, this recipe combines ease and elegance in one warm, comforting bowl.