Italian Shrimp ‘n’ Pasta

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 7-1/2 hours

Makes

6 servings

Updated: Apr. 22, 2022
This dish will remind you a bit of classic shrimp Creole, but it has a surprise Italian twist. Slow cooking gives it hands-off ease—perfect for company. —Karen Edwards, Sanford, Maine
Italian Shrimp 'n' Pasta Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2x1-in. strips
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 medium green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo or other small pasta
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined cooked shrimp (31-40 per pound)

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil; transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes, celery, pepper, onion, garlic, sugar and seasonings. Cook, covered, on low 7-8 hours or until chicken is just tender.
  2. Discard bay leaf. Stir in pasta; cook, covered, on high until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook, covered, until heated through, about 5 minutes longer.

Test Kitchen tips
  • Orzo is rice-shaped pasta. You can find it in the paste aisle of the grocery store.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1-1/2 cups: 418 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 165mg cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 36g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat.