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Easy Crockpot Chicken Rice in a modern slow cooker, creamy rice with chunks of chicken and bright green broccoli topped with melted sharp cheddar

Easy Crockpot Chicken Rice

Recipe by Lucia Dorinda

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  • Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield6 servings 1x

Easy Crockpot Chicken Rice with tender chicken, brown rice, broccoli, and sharp cheddar cooked together in a creamy slow cooker sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (full fat)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 cup long grain brown rice or arborio risotto rice, rinsed
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated, divided

Instructions

  1. Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite sized pieces about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly in the crockpot.
  2. In the crockpot, whisk together the chicken broth, sour cream or Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard if using, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until fairly smooth.
  3. Rinse the brown rice or risotto rice under cool water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain well, then add the rice to the crockpot and stir to coat it in the sauce.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the crockpot and stir again so the chicken and rice are evenly distributed and covered in the creamy mixture.
  5. Spread the broccoli florets in an even layer over the top of the chicken and rice. Do not stir them in, they will cook in the steam as the mixture simmers.
  6. Cover the crockpot with the lid. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through to 165 F, the rice is tender, and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  7. Once cooked, sprinkle about 1 cup of the grated cheddar into the crockpot and stir it into the hot chicken and rice mixture until it melts and turns the sauce creamy.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar evenly over the top. Cover the crockpot again and let it sit on the warm setting for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese on top has melted.
  9. Stir gently if needed, then scoop the Easy Crockpot Chicken Rice into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if you like.

Notes

Storage: Let the Easy Crockpot Chicken Rice cool to room temperature, then transfer leftovers to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a small splash of broth or water to loosen the rice, then warm in the microwave in short bursts or in a covered skillet over low heat until hot. For freezing, portion cooled chicken and rice into freezer safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if possible, then reheat with a little extra liquid until creamy again.

Substitutions: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer flavor and very tender meat. Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt if you want extra protein. You can use different cheeses such as Monterey Jack or mozzarella in place of cheddar, keeping the total amount the same. Add peas, diced carrots, or baby spinach for more vegetables in your slow cooker chicken and rice.

Make Ahead: You can prep the chicken, rinse the rice, and mix the sauce ingredients several hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator in separate containers. When you are ready to cook, combine everything in the crockpot and cook as directed. Leftovers also work well for meal prep lunches when packed into single serving containers.

Tips: Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear to avoid a sticky texture. Use the low setting when you can for the most even cooking and tender chicken. Start checking the crockpot around the shorter end of the cook time, since slow cookers vary and overcooked rice can become very soft.

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on specific ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For the most accurate results, calculate nutrition using your exact products and serving sizes.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 750mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 31g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg