How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice—the Easiest Weeknight Meal
Updated: Feb. 13, 2023
This slow cooker chicken and rice is healthy, budget-friendly and quick to prepare.
There is nothing like easy slow cooker recipes to save the day during busy work weeks and packed school schedules. This healthy, budget-friendly recipe might be your new slow cooker hero. Once prepped, you’ll have more time to have fun making side dishes like your favorite shaped dinner rolls or a colorful, healthy salad.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Recipe
This recipe is courtesy of Taste of Home contributor Jessica Follen of Waunakee, Wisconsin. It yields about four 1-1/2 cup servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed (about 1-1/2 pounds)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, optional
Directions
Step 1: Add ingredients to the slow cooker
In a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker, add stock, carrots, onion, rice, peas and basil, then stir to combine. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper, then layer on top of the rice mixture.
Step 2: Simmer in the slow cooker
Cook covered on low until a thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 170°-175°F, about 4-5 hours.
Editor’s Tip: Let the slow cooker do its thing—lifting the lid to peek at the progress allows heat to escape and extends the cook time.
Step 3: Remove bones from cooked chicken
Remove chicken from the slow cooker. When it’s cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones by simply pulling it away. You can then discard the bones. Shred the meat with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker. Stir the chicken back into the rice mixture and allow to heat until warmed through. Garnish with Parmesan cheese if you like.
How to Make This Slow-Cooker Chicken and Rice Your Own
Swap diced veggies in the recipe for whatever you have in your fridge. Or maybe you’d like to try a different type of rice. If you already have chicken breasts in your fridge, you can use those instead of thighs. If you use a boneless option, watch your chicken toward the end of the cook time. Chicken breasts often take less time to cook than bone-in options since there is a lower fat content. Don’t forget to check out our collection of healthy slow-cooker chicken recipes.
Looking to add some heat? Try a different spice blend like taco, Creole or Cajun seasoning to give the dish a whole new flavor.
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