Amazing Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Oh, the sheer magic of a slow cooker! Seriously, if you’ve had one of those days where the mere thought of cooking dinner makes you want to crawl back into bed, then you *need* this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice in your life. It’s honestly one of my go-to recipes because it’s just SO ridiculously easy and comforting. I remember relying on similar slow cooker meals constantly when my kids were little and I felt like I was always running on empty. This dish is proof that you can have a super flavorful, totally satisfying meal with minimal fuss. Just toss everything in and let the magic happen!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Honestly, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice recipe is a lifesaver for so many reasons:

• Crazy Easy Prep: You literally just chop a few things and dump everything in. Takes minutes!
• Minimal Cleanup: All the cooking happens in one pot. That means way less scrubbing later – my favorite.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s tender chicken and savory rice that just hugs you from the inside. Pure comfort!
• So Versatile: You can totally jazz it up with veggies or different seasonings if you feel inspired.
• Set It and Forget It: Perfect for those days when you can’t be tied to the stove.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

When I make my Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice, I try to keep the ingredient list pretty simple, but the quality really matters here. You’ll need:

• 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs – these are my absolute favorite because they stay so juicy and tender!
• 1 cup of uncooked white rice. Make sure it’s dry, not pre-cooked!
• 2 cups of chicken broth – this adds so much flavor to the rice.
• 1 cup of water
• 1 onion, just give it a rough chop.
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced up nice and fine.
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• About half a teaspoon of black pepper.
• And 1 tablespoon of good old olive oil to drizzle over the top.

Seriously, that’s it! So straightforward, right?

Essential Equipment for Your Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

To whip up this super easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice, you don’t need a fancy setup. Really, the star of the show is your trusty slow cooker – I usually use a 6-quart one. You’ll also want some basic measuring cups and spoons, a good knife and cutting board for chopping that onion and garlic, and a mixing bowl to get the rice mixture ready before it all goes in. That’s pretty much it!

How to Prepare Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Okay, getting this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice ready is honestly the easiest part of dinner, I promise! You just have a few simple steps to follow. Once it’s all in, you can basically forget about it until mealtime. That’s my kind of cooking – makes dinner feel like a breeze, even on the busiest days. I’ve even prepped veggies like potatoes and carrots ahead of time and tossed them in a slow cooker with chicken before, and it was fantastic!

Step 1: Layering the Slow Cooker

First things first, grab your slow cooker. I like to put the chicken thighs right in the bottom. Just arrange them in a single layer if you can. It helps them cook a little more evenly, and they just kind of nestle in there perfectly.

Step 2: Preparing the Rice Mixture

Now, for the rice part. In a separate bowl, just dump in your uncooked rice, chicken broth, and that cup of water. Give it a good stir. Then, toss in your chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. It’s everything you need for flavor right there! I find that mixing it up beforehand helps distribute everything better, so you don’t end up with a clump of seasoning in one spot.

Step 3: Cooking Your Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Pour that yummy rice mixture right over the chicken in the slow cooker. Then, give it a little drizzle of olive oil over the top – it just adds a nice finish. Pop the lid on tight, and let it work its magic! You can cook it on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, high for 3 to 4 hours works too. This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice recipe is so forgiving!

Step 4: Finishing and Serving

Once everything is cooked through and smells amazing, carefully take out the chicken and shred it right there in the slow cooker with two forks. Then, just give it a good stir into the rice. Serve it up hot, maybe with a side of something colorful if you’re feeling fancy!

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Alright, so you’ve got the basic rundown for this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice, but let me share a few tricks I’ve picked up to make it truly spectacular! My biggest advice? Don’t skimp on the chicken thighs – they just *stay* moister than breasts in the slow cooker, and nobody likes dry chicken. If you *do* go with breasts, just be super careful not to overcook them, or you’ll be sad. Also, a common pitfall with slow cooker rice is getting it a bit mushy if there’s too much liquid or it cooks too long. I find the 2 cups broth to 1 cup water ratio is spot on for white rice; it’s just enough liquid without leaving a soupy mess. For extra flavor, try adding a bay leaf or maybe some dried herbs like thyme or rosemary into the mix. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a little sprinkle of paprika or even some garlic powder at the beginning works wonders! Cooking up some chicken parmesan zucchini boats on the side also makes a complete meal!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Let’s chat about making this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice recipe totally *yours*. Those chicken thighs I mentioned? They’re my secret weapon for super moist chicken, but if you’re more of a breast person, go for it! Just keep an eye on them – chicken breasts can cook a bit faster or get dry if you’re not careful. You might want to check them an hour or so earlier. For the rice, plain old white rice is perfect because it absorbs all those yummy flavors. Brown rice is an option, but it’ll need more liquid and a longer cooking time, so it’s a bit of a different ballgame. And the chicken broth? It adds a ton of depth, but you can totally use vegetable broth or even water if that’s all you have. Just know the flavor will be a little milder. I love that you can tweak it! If you enjoy chicken in different forms, check out these amazing chicken burgers!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers of this amazing Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice? Lucky you! Just pop them into an airtight container once they’ve cooled down a bit. They’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, your microwave is usually the quickest way to go, just give it a stir halfway through. Or, you can pop it in a saucepan on the stove over low heat with a splash of extra broth or water to keep it moist.

Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

You guys always have the best questions about making my Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice! Let’s dive into a few common ones. It’s honestly such a forgiving dish, but knowing a few tricks can make it even better. If you’re curious about other fun chicken and rice combos, you might love these chicken rice stuffed peppers!

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Oh, totally! You absolutely can use chicken breasts. Just keep a closer eye on them. They tend to cook a bit quicker and can dry out faster than thighs in the slow cooker, so maybe check them an hour earlier. They’re still delicious, just a slightly different texture!

What other vegetables can I add to this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice?

That’s the fun part! You can toss in chopped carrots, peas, corn, or even some diced bell peppers. Just make sure they’re cut to a size that will cook through in the time allotted, or add them a little later in the cooking process if they cook faster.

How do I prevent the rice from becoming mushy?

The key is usually the liquid ratio and not overcooking. With this recipe, the 2 cups of broth to 1 cup of water for 1 cup of rice is usually perfect for white rice. Make sure your lid is on tight so the steam stays in, and stick to the recommended cooking times. It creates just the right amount of moisture without turning the rice into mush!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is an estimate, of course! Depending on your specific ingredients and brands, you might see slight differences. But generally, a serving will give you around 450 calories, about 15g of fat, 35g of protein, and 40g of carbohydrates. It’s a pretty balanced meal!

Share Your Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Creation

I just LOVE hearing about your kitchen adventures! If you give this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice a try, please come back and leave a comment below. Tell me what you think, how you tweaked it, or share any funny kitchen mishaps! You can also tag me on social media – I’d be thrilled to see your delicious creations! Check out my story to see more!

Dont forget Amazing DIY Coffin Sandwiches Halloween

For more recipes follow me on PINTEREST

Print