Ugh, weeknights, right? When you’re running on fumes and the thought of cooking feels like climbing a mountain, you need a hero. For me, that hero is almost always my trusty Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice. Seriously, this dish is my absolute favorite way to get a comforting, flavorful meal on the table with barely any effort. It’s so simple – just toss everything in and let magic happen. I remember one crazy Tuesday with soccer practice, ballet, and a forgotten grocery item, and this recipe saved dinner. It’s just so forgiving and always turns out amazing, plus the whole house smells incredible!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Seriously, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is a weeknight lifesaver! Here’s why it’s become my go-to:
- So Easy: You just dump and go! Minimal prep means more time for you.
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks right in the slow cooker, which means hardly any dishes to wash. Yes, please!
- Pure Comfort: It’s like a warm hug in a bowl – super savory and satisfying.
- Busy Night Friendly: Perfect for those evenings when you have a million things going on. Set it and forget it!
Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Okay, here’s what you’ll need to grab from the store for this amazing Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you might even have in your pantry already!
- 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts: These are the stars of the show, so grab a nice pack.
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice: Make sure it’s uncooked for this recipe, okay? Long-grain works best here.
- 2 cups chicken broth: This is what makes the rice nice and tender!
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup: Yep, the classic! Don’t drain it, we want all that creamy goodness.
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes: Again, keep the juice in the can – it adds tons of flavor!
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables: Peas, carrots, corn – whatever mix you like is perfect.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: For that essential savory kick.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Because garlic and onion powder are just best friends, right?
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Just a little bit to wake everything up.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Taste preference is key here, you can always add more later!
How to Prepare This Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Alright, let’s get this amazing Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice into that pot! It’s honestly one of the easiest things you can do for dinner, I promise!
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
First things first, just pop those chicken breasts right into the bottom of your slow cooker. Easy peasy, right?
Step 2: Mix the Rice and Flavor Base
Now, grab a separate bowl. We’ll mix the uncooked rice, the chicken broth, that yummy cream of mushroom soup, your diced tomatoes (don’t drain them!), the frozen veggies, and all your seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt. Give it a good stir so everything is nicely combined.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Next, just pour that whole rice mixture right over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure it gives the chicken a nice cozy blanket!
Step 4: Cook Until Tender
Time for the magic to happen! Cover your slow cooker and let it cook on low for about 4 to 6 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is cooked all the way through and the rice is perfectly tender. That’s the key to happy eating!
Step 5: Shred and Combine
Once it’s all done, carefully take the chicken breasts out. Shred them up really easily with two forks – it should be super tender. Then, just pop the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir it all together with that delicious rice mixture.
Step 6: Serve Your Delicious Meal
And there you have it! Your Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is ready to go. Serve it up hot and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Okay, so you’ve got all the ingredients, you’re ready to go, right? To make sure this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice turns out absolutely perfect every time, I’ve picked up a few little tricks over the years. Don’t worry, it’s really not complicated!
First off, use good quality chicken breasts – they really make a difference. And while any white rice will technically work, long-grain really gives you that classic, fluffy texture we’re going for. Definitely don’t overcook it! If your slow cooker runs super hot, maybe check it a little earlier than the 4-hour mark. You want tender chicken and rice, not mush. Trust me on this one!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Let’s chat about these ingredients for our Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice, because sometimes you gotta swap things out, right? No worries, it’s super forgiving! If you’re not a fan of chicken breasts or they just don’t have any, chicken thighs are a great substitute. They might take a little longer to cook, but they’re so flavorful and stay really moist. Just keep an eye on them!
That cream of mushroom soup? It’s the secret to making this so creamy and binding everything together. If mushroom isn’t your jam, cream of celery or even cream of chicken soup will totally work wonders. And the diced tomatoes, we need them undrained because that liquid adds so much flavor to the rice as it cooks. If you really hate tomatoes, you could try about 1/2 cup of extra chicken broth, but you’ll miss out on that little bit of tang. Enjoy experimenting!
Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is a hearty meal all on its own, but if you want to make it a full-on feast, I’ve got some ideas! A simple green salad with a vinaigrette is always a good idea to cut through the richness. Or, if you’re feeling something a bit more substantial, some steamed broccoli or green beans add a nice fresh touch. And you know what? A little bit of crusty bread on the side for soaking up any extra deliciousness left in the bowl? Perfection! Honestly, if you wanted something really special, some of my garlic butter meatballs would be a pretty amazing side, though it’s definitely a big meal then!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers of this amazing Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice? Lucky you! To keep it tasting great, just pop it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good in there for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for round two, you can gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, or even pop a portion in the microwave. Just give it a little stir halfway through so it heats up evenly. It’s still super yummy the next day!
Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Got questions about this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice? I totally get it! When you find a recipe you love, you want to make sure you’re doing it right. Here are a few things folks often ask me:
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
You sure can! Brown rice is a bit heartier and takes longer to cook. You’ll likely need to add a bit more liquid, maybe an extra half cup of broth, and cook it on low for closer to 6-7 hours, maybe even a bit longer. Just give it a peek to make sure it’s tender before you serve it up!
Why is my rice end up mushy?
Oh no, mushy rice is the worst! Usually, that happens from using too much liquid or cooking it for too long. Since slow cookers can be a bit different, it’s always best to check your rice a little earlier than the 4-hour mark. If it looks like it’s getting soft but still has a ways to go, you can always turn the heat down just a hair.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely! This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is super adaptable. Feel free to toss in extra frozen veggies like peas, corn, green beans, or even some chopped carrots or bell peppers along with the frozen mix. Just make sure you don’t add *too* many watery vegetables or it might make your dish a little soupy. Stick with about 1.5 to 2 cups total, and you should be golden!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is totally an estimate. It can change depending on the brands you use and exactly how much you pile onto your plate! But generally, you’re looking at around 450-550 calories, 40g protein, 45g carbs, and about 15g fat per serving. Pretty good for a hearty meal, right?
Share Your Experience with this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Okay, so now you know all the secrets to my favorite Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice! I really hope you give it a try. Let me know what you think down in the comments – I just love hearing from you all! Did you add anything extra? How did it turn out? And please, please, please tag me on social media if you snap a pic! It makes my day to see your cooking adventures. You can find more tasty dinner ideas right here too!
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, combine the uncooked rice, chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Pour the rice mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the rice mixture.
- Serve hot.