This Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken and Rice is the perfect, healthy one-pot meal for weeknight dinners. Simply dump your ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the work. This dish has chicken (chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks), brown rice, veggies, and cheese.
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One-pot meals are what everyone is looking for! This is a wonderful dish that is healthy and loaded with veggies and protein. Everyone will love it! It's very similar to a casserole and has everything you need for a balanced meal.
Table of Contents
Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
I like to use my Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup in this recipe. The canned stuff is typically loaded with fat and excess sodium. Check your labels. I have often seen, modified food starch, which is a processed ingredient that helps thicken up the soup. They also often include vegetable oil, sugar, and flavoring. Flavoring basically means something has been added to alter the natural flavor.
What Type of Rice to Use
You will have to use long-grain brown rice. Do not use Minute Rice or any quick-cooking rice. It will turn into mush in the slow cooker. White rice cooks fast, a lot faster than chicken, so it doesn't make sense to cook the two together. The same goes for Minute Rice.
If you want to cook white rice, I recommend you cook it on the stove or in a pressure cooker separately. My Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice recipe includes instructions for how to cook white rice in the pressure cooker.
You should always rinse the rice first before using it. This will rinse away dirt and excess starch. I like to use a mesh strainer and ensure the water runs clear while rinsing the rice.
Using brown rice also makes the dish a little more healthy. Brown rice is a whole grain. It contains all parts of the grain, including the fibrous bran, the nutritious germ, and the carb-rich endosperm. It’s chewy and takes a while to cook due to its tough bran exterior.
White rice has part of the bran and germ removed. These are the most nutritious parts of the grain, which leaves white rice with very few essential nutrients. White rice is softer and tends to cook faster.
You can read more about The Difference Between Brown Rice and White Rice here.
What Type of Chicken to Use
I like to use skinless chicken breasts. You can use whatever you like such as chicken thighs with no adjustment to cook time.
How to Make Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Spray the bottom of the slow cooker with cooking oil spray.
- Add chicken broth, cream of chicken, and chopped onions to the slow cooker.
- Top with the chicken breasts and sprinkle the spices and seasonings throughout.
- Slow cook.
- Open the pot and remove the chicken and shred or slice into cubes.
- Return the chicken to the pot along with frozen vegetables and shredded cheese.
- Place the lid on the pot and slow cook until the veggies are soft and the cheese has melted.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
This is not a set it and forget it recipe where you will let it cook all day and then transfer to Warm setting. The longer the rice sits on the Warm setting, the mushier the texture will become. Rice isn't something that can remain on heat for long without becoming mushy. For dinner, I like to make this dish in the early evening so that it's ready by dinner time using the High setting.
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In general, you want to cook the rice and chicken until the liquid evaporates, but you should keep a close eye on the rice and monitor the texture. I've made this recipe with 2 different Crockpot models and both yielded slightly different results because it's apparent one gets hotter than the other.
The same will likely apply to you. After the dish has been cooking for 2 hours I check the texture of the rice. If the rice is soft and the liquid hasn't fully evaporated, remove the lid from the pot and allow the dish to stand for 5 minutes. This will help evaporate the liquid.
Most times when I check in at 2 hours there's a small amount of liquid left and the rice still isn't soft enough. I continue to cook it for an additional 30 minutes or until soft.
Other Vegetables You Can Substitute
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Snap Peas
- Spinach
How to Store Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge tightly sealed for 3-4 days.
Freezer Tips
Leftovers will last tightly sealed in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
More One Pot Meals
Slow Cooker Chili Mac and Cheese
Leftover Taco Meat Bowls
Leftover Turkey Chili
Instant Pot Gumbo
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Southern Chicken Spaghetti
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
More Slow Cooker Crockpot Recipes
Sugar Free Apple Butter
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chili Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Slow Cooker Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Pulled Pork Sliders
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo
Crockpot Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
More Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Ranch Chicken Wings
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Air Fryer Spatchock Chicken
Check out my Instant Pot Brown Rice if you prefer to cook the rice separately.
Cheesy Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain brown rice
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cup cream of chicken soup I use my homemade recipe. You can use a 10.5oz can if you wish.
- 1 ½ pounds skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables 24oz if buying packaged; You can use fresh if you wish.
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of the slow cooker with cooking oil spray.
- Add the rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken, and chopped onions to the slow cooker.
- Top with the chicken breasts and sprinkle the spices and seasonings throughout.
- Cook on High for 2 - 3 hours (Low 4-6 hours) until the rice is soft and all liquid has been absorbed. See notes for additional tips.
- Open the pot and remove the chicken and shred or slice into cubes.
- Return the chicken to the pot along with the frozen vegetables and shredded cheese.
- Place the lid on the pot and slow cook on High for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the veggies are soft and the cheese has melted.
Video
Notes
- The cheese is optional (and delicious). Omit it if you wish.
- Be sure to season with salt. This dish is very bland without it. Rice and chicken breasts are pretty bland alone. They will require flavor.
- Chicken breasts are typically dry in comparison to chicken thighs. If you are looking for really juicy meat, use chicken thighs. (No adjustment to cook time).
- If using fresh vegetables, you will still add them at the end.
- This is not a set it and forget it recipe where you will let it cook all day and then transfer to Warm setting. The longer the rice sits on the Warm setting, the mushier the texture will become. Rice isn't something that can remain on heat for long without becoming mushy. For dinner, I like to make this dish in the early evening so that it’s ready by dinner time using the High setting.
- In general, you want to cook the rice and chicken until the liquid evaporates, but you should keep a close eye on the rice and monitor the texture. I’ve made this recipe with 2 different Crockpot models and both yielded slightly different results because it’s apparent one gets hotter than the other.
- The same will likely apply to you. After the dish has been cooking for 2 hours I check the texture of the rice. If the rice is soft and the liquid hasn’t fully evaporated, remove the lid from the pot and allow the dish to stand for 5 minutes. This will help evaporate the liquid.
- Most times when I check in at 2 hours there’s a small amount of liquid left and the rice still isn’t soft enough. I continue to cook it for an additional 30 minutes or until soft.
- One serving is ¼ pound of chicken and ½ cup of cooked rice.
- If you want to use the Instant Pot you can cook for 23 minutes on High Pressure with a cook release. Don't add the vegetables or cheese until the end.
- If you want to cook this on the stove, I would cook the chicken separately from the rice and combine them together once cooked.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Lisa says
This is recipe is stupid easy. And I had all the ingredients on hand (and usually always do). This was a hit with with the whole family-even my picky 3 year old. 🙌🏻
staysnatched says
Ha ha! Gotta love a stupid easy recipe!
Keri says
This was so easy and very good!
I didnt have long grain brown rice, so I used regular brown rice - it became more of a casserole than a rice dish because of it - but it still tasted fantastic.
My nieces are picky eaters, and they both had 2 bowls and there is plenty for them to eat tomorrow.
Will definitely make this again!
staysnatched says
I’m glad to hear you will make it again!
Janice says
This recipe is a great option for meal prep! I love the flexibility to add different kinds of veggies. Thank you for sharing this one!
Towanda Wilson says
Made this the day after Brandi posted the IG video. It was great! I also used Brandi’s recipe for the cream of chicken soup. Super easy and felt like I was making a much better decision than using the canned cream of chicken I had in the pantry. Great recipe as are all of them that I have made.
staysnatched says
Yay! I’m glad you made the cream of chicken soup, too!
Jessica says
Delicious! Super easy and my kids loved it!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it.
Jenn says
A great quick easy meal. Flavors are great and rice came out perfect.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Ashley F says
So easy and yummy! Definitely a new staple that the whole family loved!
staysnatched says
I love it's become a staple.
Eva says
Solid, easy one pot recipe! Also, it’s super budget-friendly! Take the extra step and make Brandi’s cream of chicken soup because it’s definitely worth it! Thanks!!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Meghann says
Great easy recipe to meal prep for lunches at work!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Cheryl says
May I ask: Can this be made in a 9 x13" casserole slow cooker? Thank You.
staysnatched says
I've never used a casserole slow cooker. I assume so.
Jill says
Great for food prep and keeps you full. Easy to make on a Sunday.
staysnatched says
Yay! Glad to hear it!