the 1 mixture that will flavor the whole dish: add the cream cheese cubes, chicken stock, lemon juice, chopped chives, chopped tarragon, minced garlic, onion powder, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
Whisk or stir the mixture well until mostly smooth. It is fine if some small bits of cream cheese remain; they will melt into the sauce as the slow cooker runs. This is the single mixture you will pour over the chicken and orzo.
