There’s nothing like an easy slow-cooker recipe to save the day during busy work weeks and packed school schedules. This nutritious, budget-friendly recipe might be your new slow cooker hero. Once prepped, you’ll have more time to make fun side dishes.
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Rice Ingredients
- Chicken stock
- Carrots
- Onion
- Uncooked long grain brown rice
- Thawed frozen peas
- Dried basil
- Bone-in chicken thigh
- Salt
- Pepper
- Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional
Directions
Step 1: Add ingredients to the slow cooker
In a 4- or 5-quart 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: Slow-cook
Cook covered on low until a thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 170°-175°F, about four to five 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: Finish the 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 (discard the bones). Shred the meat with two forks, then stir the chicken back into the rice mixture and allow to heat until warmed through. Garnish with Parmesan cheese if you like.
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Rice Tips
How do you make slow-cooker chicken and rice variations?
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’s 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.
What do you serve with slow-cooker chicken and rice?
The sky is the limit! We like to serve with differently shaped dinner rolls or a colorful, healthy salad.
