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  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Slow Cooker ยป Crockpot Chicken and Rice recipe

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 โ€ข FIRST PUBLISHED: January 28, 2021 By Toni Dash 21 Comments

    Crockpot Chicken and Rice recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    crockpot chicken and rice title

    Crockpot Chicken and Rice is down home southern comfort at its finest. Chicken simmered in a creamy gravy has a peppery bite, mixed with fluffy tender rice for a meal that needs to be tasted to be believed!

    crockpot chicken and rice title
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    crockpot chicken and rice title

    Sometimes only simple comfort food will do.

    Homey flavors and satisfying textures have a cozy feel we all need.

    Much like homemade chicken soup or Chicken and Biscuits, Chicken and Rice is a comfort food classic that always delivers when the time is right.

    Jump to:
    • Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice
    • Why Youโ€™ll Love this
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • Variations
    • How to Make it โ€“ Step-by-Step
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Time Saving Tip: Use leftover rice
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Recipes Youโ€™ll Love!
    • Recipe

    Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice

    Don’t let the white-on-white appearance of this classic dish fool you.

    When it comes to flavor, this Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe can runs circles around its competition.

    Unlike some similar rice and chicken recipes, this meal is anything but bland.

    The chicken has a kick of pepper and herbs smothered in a creamy chicken gravy.

    The tender rice is prepared separately and stirring it into the chicken at the end for a perfect result every time.

    This ensures the rice grains stay intact instead of dissolving into the rich sauce.

    Slow cooked chicken + creamy sauce + rice = a homey comfort food meal that’s always a favorite.

    Why You’ll Love this

    • It uses frozen chicken breasts straight from the freezer. Fresh chicken breasts work too!
    • Preparing the rice separately ensures it’s always perfect. You can use any rice you want to: long grain, short grain, white, brown and even leftover rice.
    • It’s comforting. The flavors are warm and cozy. It’s simple down home food. 

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    Chicken breasts. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are used for this recipe. Use chicken right from the freezer–no need to thaw first! Fresh chicken breasts work well too.

    Seasonings. Dried parsley, minced dried onion, garlic powder, black pepper. This simple combination of spices gives a delicious flavor to the chicken and rice.

    Cooked rice. White rice is traditional, but brown rice can be substituted too. This is a wonderful way to use up leftover rice!

    Cream of chicken soup. The condensed soup is added directly to the slow cooker. If making the chicken and rice gluten-free verify the soup used is gluten-free.

    I used Pacific Foods Organic Cream of Chicken soup which is gluten-free and well marked on the can

    Milk. Whole milk will make the richest end result but lower fat dairy milk will work too.

    Variations

    Add some cheese. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the finished Chicken and Rice and give it a stir for a cheesy variation. 

    Add some vegetables. Though not included in the traditional version you can add a package of frozen mixed vegetables if desired.

    Thaw them first and stir in during the last 15 minutes with the rice just to warm them through.

    Use brown rice. Add more good-for-you whole grain taste by substituting brown rice for the white. 

    How to Make it – Step-by-Step

    How do you make Chicken and Rice from scratch?

    These easy steps will let you do just that!

    STEP 1. Season the chicken

    Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker (photo 1) and sprinkle with parsley, garlic powder, dried onion, and black pepper (photo 2).

    Whisk together the cream of chicken soup and milk, and pour over the top of the chicken breasts (photo 3).

    STEP 2. Slow Cook

    Set the crock pot to cook on low for 6 hours or cook on high for 3 hours. The chicken should reach 165 degrees internal temperature to be considered done cooking.

    Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken, then add it back to the slow cooker (photo 4).

    crockpot chicken and rice recipe steps 1-4


    STEP 3. Add rice

    Stir the cooked rice into the slow cooker (photo 5). Cover and cook for another 15 minutes on low.

    Once it has thickened and creamy, it’s ready to serve and enjoy (photo 6)!

    crockpot chicken and rice recipe steps

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What size slow cooker is used for this recipe?

    6 quart. This is the model I use which is programmable so it’s easier to monitor. Also it has a lid that can be clipped on which is perfect if transporting the slow cooker

    How do I know if the chicken is done cooking?

    The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degreed F. The best way to check this is with an instant read food thermometer. 

    Why add the rice at the end of cooking time?

    Cooking rice in a slow cooker is challenging. Different types of rice (even different types of white rice) can change the cooking time. Balancing the correct amount of liquid and time to thoroughly cook both the chicken and rice without overcooking one of them is nearly impossible.

    After lots of experimenting with different methods, we found that adding separately cooked rice to the chicken at the end produces the best results.
    It creates both the best flavor and the best texture. The chicken is perfect cooked and the rice is tender and whole.

    It also gives flexibility about what type of rice is used without worry about the chicken cooking properly too.

    Is Chicken and Rice healthy?

    This recipe includes a combination of lean protein, carbohydrates and is low in saturated fats.

    It’s a very easy recipe to change up to meet your dietary needs and preferences too (see the Variations section for ideas).

    Time Saving Tip: Use leftover rice

    If you have leftover rice from another meal, use it! This chicken and rice recipe is a perfect way to use it up and saves time.

    If making the rice fresh, time it so that it’s done cooking a few minutes before the chicken has finished cooking.

    Storing Leftovers

    Keep any leftover Chicken and Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2 days. It reheats well in the microwave or in a pan on the stove top. 

    crockpot chicken and rice on a plate

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
    • Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup
    • Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
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    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER and PINTEREST!

    Recipe

    chicken and rice sq

    Crock Pot Chicken and Rice

    Chicken and Rice is easy, dependable comfort food. Its warmth and satisfying flavor are a welcome dish whenever its served. This version can use any type of rice and frozen chicken breasts!
    5 from 21 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 1 1/2 cup servings (total yield aproximately: 6 cups)
    Calories: 362kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 8-ounce frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried onion
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 10.5-ounce can cream of chicken soup
    • ½ cup milk
    • 2 cups white rice prepared

    Instructions

    • Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and sprinkle with parsley, garlic powder, dried onion, and black pepper.
    • Whisk together the cream of chicken soup and milk and pour over the top of the chicken breasts.
    • Set the crock pot to cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
    • When the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees F), remove the breasts and shred them using 2 forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
    • Add the rice and stir to combine. Place the lid back on the slow cooker and cook for an additional 15 minutes before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    Cooking time based on cooking on low temperature for 6 hours. That time will be reduced by half if cooking on high heat.
    Ingredient Notes
    White rice is traditional in this recipe however feel free to change it up and use brown rice too. It’s a great use for leftover rice!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kay Miller says

      February 25, 2024 at 8:00 pm

      my husband doesn’t like cream soups. what can I sub or just hide the can.
      ?
      thanks

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        February 25, 2024 at 9:22 pm

        We recommend making our recipes with the ingredients and method as written. The results shown are reflective of testing with these ingredients and method.

        We vote for โ€˜hide the canโ€™.

        Reply
    2. Donna Batrone says

      January 13, 2022 at 4:47 am

      Ally kids loved it! I just wish I doubled the recipe, definitely next time!

      Reply
    3. Betsy says

      January 12, 2022 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      Love, love, love that I can use the chicken straight from the freezer! I never, ever remember to thaw my chicken so this is perfect! Tastes amazing, too! YUM!

      Reply
    4. Stephanie says

      January 12, 2022 at 10:40 pm

      5 stars
      I made this last night and wow, what a hit! Everyone cleaned their plate.

      Reply
    5. Sharon says

      January 12, 2022 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Perfect comfort food. Very easy and my family loved the flavor.

      Reply
    6. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      January 12, 2022 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      It was so delicious! Thank you for this amazing recipe!

      Reply
    7. Jessica Stroup says

      January 12, 2022 at 9:30 am

      5 stars
      The perfect recipe for busy weeknight dinners! This is a definite do again!

      Reply
    8. Katherine says

      January 12, 2022 at 7:44 am

      5 stars
      Ooh this is the ultimate comfort food! So good!

      Reply
    9. Kristen says

      January 12, 2022 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      This was SO GOOD! My whole family loved how creamy it is. Will definitely make it again!

      Reply
    10. Dannii says

      January 12, 2022 at 7:13 am

      5 stars
      I am always looking for new ways to use my slow cooker and this chicken and rice looks amazing. Total comfort food.

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 21 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome! Iโ€™m Toni Dash. Iโ€™m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavoreยฎ. Iโ€™m so glad you are here!

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