Cheesy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe

Name: Cheesy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 240 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces (✅); 3 cups chicken broth (✅); 2 cups long grain rice; 10.5 ounce cream of chicken soup (✅); 1 teaspoon garlic powder (✅); 1 teaspoon onion powder (✅); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese (✅)

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Our cheesy crockpot chicken and rice recipe is comfort food the whole family will love! Made in just 5 minutes of prep time with simple ingredients including chicken thighs, rice, and cream of chicken soup. After slow cooking, you have a delicious meal that is ready for dinner time on busy days. This blend of cheesy chicken and perfectly cooked rice is the best family-friendly meal!

This easy slow cooker recipe is one you’ll find yourself turning to throughout the year. Serve as a stand-alone dish or pair with any side dish. The best part is this dish is packed with so much flavor but is one of the easiest recipes you can make. It’s great for those who don’t love the cooking process or those who don’t have a lot of time to prepare lengthy recipes.

Ingredients

1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces ✅
3 cups chicken broth ✅
2 cups long grain rice
10.5 ounce cream of chicken soup ✅
1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese ✅

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

ingredients for chicken and rice in slow cooker

How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Start by adding the chopped chicken thighs into the crockpot. Follow by adding the cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup, along with chicken broth, brown rice (can use wild rice), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

chicken stock poured into crockpot with chicken and rice ingredients

Thoroughly blend the ingredients together, ensuring the flavors meld. Cover the crockpot and set the cooking duration; opt for low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or choose high heat for 2 to 4 hours for a quicker preparation. Make sure to not overcook or you could end up with mushy rice. If the time is up and it still looks like rice soup, continue cooking until the liquid is absorbed.

Once the cooking time is up, add the cheese to the mixture, allowing it to melt and enrich the dish with creamy goodness. For different flavors you can swap out the cheddar cheese for mozzarella, parmesan cheese, or a Mexican blend.

If the consistency seems too thick, adjust the rice mixture by incorporating additional chicken broth to achieve the desired texture. Add just a little at a time so you don’t add too much liquid. Serve the dish piping hot sprinkled with fresh parsley if desired.

ingredient for chicken and rice in crockpot

Substitutions

Chicken thighs – swap with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins or even pork chops. You could also use leftover shredded chicken and stir it in at the end of the cooking time.
Chicken broth – swap with bone broth or vegetable broth. You could also use water and adjust the seasonings to add additional flavor and lower the sodium content.
Long grain rice – brown rice is the best option but if in a pinch you could use wild rice or a long grain white rice such as jasmine or basmati. Be mindful of the cooking time if using white rice as it does cook quicker and can become mushy.
Cream of chicken soup – replace with cream of mushroom, cream of celery, cream or asparagus or a dairy free cream of chicken. 8 ounces of sour cream is an option too.
Seasoning – add in Italian seasoning, a dry Ranch seasoning packet or chili powder for a hint of spice
Cream cheese – If you want to make extra creamy chicken cream cheese mixture add a block of cream cheese to the rice recipe at the end of the cook time. Cover for 20 minutes then gently stir.
Salsa – add 1 can of salsa for a Mexican variation

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Serve as a stand-alone meal or pick any side dish
Prevent overcooking rice by using brown rice or being mindful that white rice cooks quicker and may become mushy
Add fresh or frozen vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, peas, green beans, onions, mushrooms or carrots
Assemble in advance then store in the fridge overnight
For a spicier recipe, drizzle with hot sauce, sriracha, buffalo or sprinkle with chili powder.

close up view of spoon scooping chicken and rice

What To Serve With Chicken and Rice

You’ll especially love this recipe because it is a hearty meal that can be served by itself, no sides required!

If you are looking to add a side dish (or two), consider a salad or roasted vegetable recipe such as Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, Roasted Frozen Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Frozen Vegetables, Roasted Frozen Cauliflower, or Roasted Frozen Broccoli.

Air fryer vegetables like Air Fry Green Beans, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, and Air Fryer Asparagus are kid favorites.

A slice of crusty bread, corn muffins or dinner rolls with butter makes for a great addition too.

And don’t forget about a side of soup like our Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup, Chunky Vegetable Soup, Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Soup or Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup. Together, these make the perfect combination. Especially on a chilly winter night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the rice mushy?

If you overcook (longer than 5 hours) the rice, it will become mushy. Also, white rice cooks quicker than brown rice and may become mushy if the cooking time is not monitored. It is best to cook this dish on high for 2-4 hours for best results. Instant rice should not be used in this recipe.

Is It Ok To Put Raw Chicken In Slow Cooker?

Yes, it’s safe to put raw chicken in a slow cooker as long as you ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) within 4 hours, and avoid overcrowding. Thaw frozen chicken before cooking and monitor the process for safe and even cooking.

Should I Brown Chicken Before Putting In Slow Cooker?

Browning chicken before putting it in the slow cooker is not necessary, but it can add flavor and texture to the final dish. Browning the chicken in a pan before placing it in the slow cooker can help develop a deeper flavor profile by caramelizing the meat’s surface.

Does Chicken Need To Be Covered In Liquid In Crockpot?

If you have a single layer of chicken you don’t need it covered in liquid. Covering chicken in liquid does help to keep the chicken moist, promotes even cooking, and creates a steamy environment that aids in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. The liquid can be in the form of broth, water, sauce, or other cooking liquids used in your recipe.

Can you cook frozen chicken in crock pot?

For food safety concerns, it is recommended to not cook frozen chicken in a crockpot. Thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge then add to the slow cooker the next day. It is an option to use frozen chicken if making in advance.

Can you make in advance?

Yes! Assemble and store in the fridge overnight. The next day you can add the crock pot to the base and cook as directed.

Can you add vegetables?

Absolutely! Add any fresh or frozen vegetables to the slow cooker such as broccoli, cauliflower, peas, green beans, onions, mushrooms or carrots. We recommend steering away from canned vegetables (unless serving on the side) as they get too mushy in the slow cooker.

wooden spoon in crockpot with chicken and rice casserole

Storage & Reheating Instructions

In the fridge: Let cool completely then store in the fridge for up to 3 days to reheat as desired. This easy chicken recipe tastes even better as leftovers.

In the freezer: Let cool completely then store in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then reheat on busy weeknights.

Reheat: Heat in 30-second increments in a microwave-safe bowl until hot. Carefully remove and enjoy.

Chicken and rice also makes a great thermos recipe for school. Reheat in the morning, pack into a thermos then send with your kids for school lunch.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Cut the chicken into pieces that are roughly the same size to help the chicken cook evenly. Remember to always wash your hands before and after cutting raw chicken.
When measuring spices, measure over the sink, a bowl or garbage can to prevent spilling excess seasoning into the slow cooker. Level off the measuring spoon then dump into the crock pot.
Test taste the rice before adding the cheese. If the rice still has a bit of a crunch, pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of broth. The rice will continue to cook and absorb the extra liquid as the cheese melts.

More Rice Crockpot Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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