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Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs on creamy orzo garnished with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes

Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs

This Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs recipe lets you enjoy a delicious, hands-off dinner with tender chicken meatballs and creamy orzo. Perfect for busy weeknights and packed with flavor, it’s an easy garlic butter meatballs recipe that everyone will love.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken (or turkey)
  • 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 1 head garlic, top trimmed off to reveal the cloves
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 2 cups dry orzo pasta
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or canned full-fat coconut milk

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Italian seasoning, dijon mustard, 1/2 cup parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully combined. Coat your hands lightly with oil, then roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs (you should get about 15-16).
  2. Lightly oil the bowl of your crockpot, then add the meatballs in a single layer. Add the onion and the head of garlic (keep the cloves intact). Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
  3. Preheat your broiler to high. Once the meatballs are finished, remove them and the roasted garlic from the slow cooker and transfer onto a baking sheet.
  4. Crank the slow cooker heat to high and stir in the orzo alongside 1 cup of water. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes or until the orzo is tender, adding extra water if needed. Once cooked, stir in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and the remaining parmesan cheese.
  5. Place butter and rosemary around the meatballs and garlic on the baking sheet. Broil for 1-3 minutes until the meatballs are golden and crispy.
  6. Peel the roasted garlic and smash it into the melted butter and rosemary. Toss the meatballs in this flavorful garlic butter. Serve warm over the orzo mixture.

Notes

If your schedule’s tight, prep and roll the meatballs in advance. Store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. For perfectly cooked orzo, set a timer and check after 20 minutes. Add more water little by little if it starts sticking. Don’t skip the broiling step. It adds a crispy, caramelized layer to the meatballs that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to keep the orzo creamy.