Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
A comforting one-pot meal of tender slow-cooked chicken and rice, finished with a creamy sauce. This comfort food-inspired slow cooker ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, rice, broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 1.5 cups rice
- 2 cups broth
- 1 medium onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté onion and garlic in 2 tbsp butter over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Step 2: Add chicken and cook, breaking into 1/2-inch cubes, until golden and cooked through, 8-10 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in rice, broth, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove lid, stir in cream of mushroom soup and heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Divide into two halves for serving, ensuring each portion has equal chicken and rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice?
Comfort Food slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
