Crock Pot Chicken and Rice

This Chicken with Rice dish is a true classic! It's been around in my family since I was a child. It's that classic comfort food that pleases all types of palates. This traditional chicken casserole originated in the 1950s, yet it is still a family-favorite today!

Traditionally casserole recipes bake up in a casserole dish and in the oven. Meaning they take a bit of time and heat up the entire house. Now you can make this comforting dinner with the help of your slow cooker making life so much easier.

Use the timer setting on your slow cooker to prepare dinner while you're away. Come home from a busy day to a meal that's hot and ready to serve.

Looking for more slow cooker chicken recipes? Try this slow cooker mushroom chicken, chicken burrito bowls, crock pot chicken lasagna, or crock pot ranch chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Rice and Chicken Recipe

• Perfectly Cooked Chicken. Slow cooking cooks slowly tenderizing the chicken while maintaining the moisture. Say goodbye to dry chicken!
• Low Maintenance Dinner Idea. Using this method, means there is little time needed for preparation ahead of time or cleanup after dinner.
• Hearty and Satisfying. From the rice and chicken to the cheesy and creamy texture, this is a substantial dinner that will stick to your ribs.
• Easy Meal. Add on a simple side dish of green vegetables, such as green beans or broccoli, for a complete and nutritious meal!
• Large Batch. This recipe is great for feeding a large family or for ensuring plenty of leftovers for meal prep!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this crock pot dinner are quite simple. They are all easily found in any grocery store and work great to keep on hand in the pantry and freezer for a quick meal any time.

• Chicken Breast: This high-protein meat tenderizes perfectly in the slow cooker and soaks up all of the flavors. Chicken thighs make a budget-friendly option as well but you will need to add 30 - 60 minutes to the cook time. For less prep choose boneless and skinless chicken.
• Long Grain White Rice: Bulks up the dish and cooks up perfectly in the delicious cooking liquid. Long-grain white rice is best for this recipe because it cooks up fluffier and holds up better in the slow cooker.
• Aromatic Vegetables: A mirepoix of carrots, celery, onion, and the addition of garlic infuse the dish with lots of flavors.
• Low Sodium Chicken Stock: This liquid has a rich chicken flavor that allows the rice and chicken to cook evenly. Choose low-sodium to prevent the dish from ending up too salty.
• Worchestershire Sauce: Gives the dish a light salty umami flavor that brings everything together. Soy sauce works similarly but has a slightly different flavor profile.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds additional chicken flavor along with a creamy texture to the rice and chicken. You can also use cream of celery.
• Dried Seasonings: You'll need a mixture of salt, paprika, black pepper, and thyme to enhance the flavors of the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar gets added into the dish for ultimate creaminess and on top for a nice cheese topping. Feel free to swap it out for another type of cheese you love.
• Frozen Peas: Gives the dish a pop of green color, natural sweetness, and texture.

How To Make Chicken and Rice In A Crock Pot

Prepare the ingredients: Trim the chicken breast of any excess fat and pat dry with paper towels. Chop the vegetables into small diced pieces and mince the garlic.

Add ingredients to the slow cooker: Add the diced chicken to the slow cooker along with the rice, carrots, celery, onion, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, chicken soup, garlic, salt, paprika, pepper, and thyme. Stir everything together to mix well.

Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top of the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the rice is tender.

Add cheese and peas: Add 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and the peas. Mix the casserole until fully combined and slow cook for an additional 15 minutes. Add the rest of the cheese on top and serve once it's fully melted. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Cut the Chicken. Make sure it's all roughly cut the same size to ensure it is cooks evenly in the slow cooker.
• Too Dry. If the casserole appears too dry after cooking time, stir in a quarter cup of chicken stock and cook for 15 minutes more. Repeat as needed until you reach the desired consistency.
• Cooking Time. The total time depends on your individual crock pot and the ingredients used. In most cases, this dish cooks in 3-4 hours on HIGH.
• Serving Ideas. This easy Crock Pot chicken and rice is almost an entire meal in a bowl. Add on a simple vegetable side dish and for special occasions enjoy a tasty dessert like our Crock Pot blueberry cobbler.
• Stir During Cooking. For best results I recommend stirring 1-2 times during the cooking process.

Variations

• Use other cuts of meat: Swap the chicken for cubes of pork and cooked ground beef, chicken, or turkey make a tasty substitute.
• Add other vegetables: Toss in diced bell peppers or chopped broccoli for flavor and color. Mushrooms are also a great addition to this dish!
• Add other seasonings: Get creative with your seasonings by adding in herbs like oregano, basil, or parsley as desired.
• Topping ideas: Top your Crock Pot rice and chicken this dish with crushed cheese crackers, French fried onions, or even sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick!

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Leftover chicken and rice crock pot casserole must be cooled before storing. Store it in a shallow, airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen casserole overnight before reheating.

Reheating: You can reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave. To reheat in the oven, place it in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until heated through. To reheat in the microwave, heat in batches on high power for 2-3 minutes, occasionally stirring until heated through.

FAQ

More Crock Pot Dinner Ideas

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