Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Crockpot Chicken and Rice is the epitome of comfort food, featuring tender chicken thighs and veggies, all mixed with cheesy, perfectly cooked rice. This easy and delicious one-pot family dinner is a surefire hit, making your evening meal effortless and enjoyable.

Set it and forget it with this great recipe. Crockpot chicken and rice is just the ticket if you don’t have much time but want to change your meal rotation. This is one of the most simple dump-and-go recipes that you will find. Regardless of its simplicity, though, it is delicious. This comforting, cheesy dish will become something the whole family looks forward to enjoying. 

Combining chicken, rice, vegetables, and cheese is always a win. This simple Crockpot chicken and rice is flavorful, cheesy, and the perfect filling meal for any night of the week. The best part? It is easy to make and creates a healthy meal in one pot. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: This recipe is great for the entire family. It’s so easy that all you have to do is dump and go. Combine all the simple ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work. 
• Comfort Food: Chicken and rice are a classic comfort food combination. Their filling nature makes them the perfect choice for those craving a hearty meal. Adding cheese increases their comfort food factor by adding even more richness and flavor. This slow cooker meal is perfect for those cooler evenings. 
• Versatile: This easy crockpot chicken recipe is incredibly versatile. You can customize it by adjusting the vegetables you add, changing the cheese type, or adding more red pepper flakes for a kick. No matter your choice, this recipe is easy to change to suit your needs. 
• Feeds a Crowd: This recipe makes six servings perfect for feeding a crowd or food prepping. If your crockpot is large enough, you can even double the recipe. It is ideal for potlucks, gatherings, and preparing weekly meals. 
• Balanced Meal: This recipe provides a fantastic balance of protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients. It’s a fantastic, easy, balanced, one-pot meal. Pair it with your favorite side salad if you want to take it further.

Ingredients 

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Chicken thighs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• Onion
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Frozen peas
• Brown rice
• Chicken broth
• Half and half
• Grated Parmesan
• Cheddar cheese

How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Rice

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Follow along to learn how to make Crockpot chicken and rice.

• Step One: Rinse and drain the brown rice. Set aside.
• Step Two: Add the cubed chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Add the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine so the chicken thighs are fully seasoned.
• Step Three: Add the chopped onion, carrots, and garlic. Add the peas. Stir to combine.

• Step Four: Add the rinsed brown rice and the chicken broth. Stir to combine.
• Step Five: Turn the slow cooker on high and cook for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
• Step Six: Stir the mixture after 4 hours on high (or 8 hours on low).

• Step Seven: Add half and half and ½ of the parmesan cheese and ½ of the cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
• Step Eight: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese over top.
• Step Nine: Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until the cheese melts.

• Step Ten: Spoon onto a plate and serve immediately.

What to Serve with It

Several things go well with this easy slow cooker recipe. It can be served on its own or paired with your favorite sides. 

• Green Bean & Tomato Salad
• Moroccan Beet Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Cucumber Salad
• Fall Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Variations and Substitutions 

• Protein Choices: You can use several things instead of the chicken thighs. You can use leftover chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins, and more. You can also use pork or turkey if you want an alternative to chicken. 
• Vegetable Varieties: You can experiment with different types of vegetables in this easy chicken recipe. Bell peppers, green beans, broccoli, or spinach are all great additions. You can also use fresh vegetables instead of frozen ones for a different texture. 
• Rice Options: This recipe uses almost any kind of rice. Whether you use long-grain rice, jasmine rice, or even basmati rice, it will surely be delicious. You can also use quinoa or cauliflower rice to flavor the dish differently. Don’t opt for white rice. Otherwise, you will end up with mushy rice, which no one wants. 
• Spice Level: Easily adjust the spice level of this crockpot chicken recipe by adding or subtracting some red pepper flakes. It is easy to control the spice level of this dish and make sure that it is made to your preference. 
• Cheese Options: You can use several different types of cheese in this recipe. Try mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend. They will all add a yummy element to this cheesy rice recipe.
• Broth Options: The broth you use depends on your preferences. You can easily substitute chicken broth with bone, stock, veggie, or even beef broth.

Storage Instructions

If you are meal-prepping or have leftovers from this yummy crockpot recipe, you can store them in the fridge. Allow this delicious meal to cool, and place it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Can I Freeze?

Yes, you can freeze this cheesy chicken and rice recipe for later. Simply cool to room temperature and place it in airtight containers or freezer bags. It can freeze well for 2-3 months. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use Fresh Herbs: Add freshness by stirring in chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or cilantro before serving. This can add a delicious depth of flavor to your crock pot chicken recipe.
• Sauté Vegetables: For added depth of flavor, sauté the onions, carrots, and garlic in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker. While this is an extra step, it can help to extract all that wonderful flavor from your vegetables and allow them to combine better.
• Toast Rice: Consider toasting the rinsed rice in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding it to the slow cooker. This can enhance the nutty flavor of the rice.
• Brown Chicken: Brown the chicken cubes in a hot skillet before placing them in the slow cooker. This adds a layer of flavor to the dish and a delicious texture to the chicken. 
• Adjust Liquid Levels: If you find the dish too dry or too soupy, adjust the amount of chicken broth or half and half to achieve your desired consistency. If you find the mixture too dry during cooking, add a splash of water and stir. 
• Garnish Creatively: Garnish with additional toppings like sliced green onions, avocado, or a drizzle of hot sauce to customize each plate. Adding these garnishes to the center of the table so people can dress their dishes is a great way for people to get creative with flavors.

Can You Put Frozen Chicken in a Crockpot?

For the smoothest and safest slow-cooking experience, it’s a good idea to let your meat or poultry thaw out before tossing it into the crockpot.

Frozen bits take their sweet time to get to that safe temperature, and we’re all about avoiding any unexpected culinary dramas.

Plus, throwing in frozen or partially frozen goodies could throw off the slow-cooking groove for everything else. Let’s keep the slow cooker harmony intact.

Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Chicken
• Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken
• Peking Chicken
• Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Recipe
• Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Slow Cooker Recipes

• Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Dill Pickle Roast Beef
• Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Hash
• Slow Cooker Garlic Potatoes

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