Some nights, you just need dinner to cook itself—and that’s exactly why this Crockpot Chicken and Rice is a lifesaver. Juicy, shredded chicken, perfectly tender rice, and a creamy, velvety sauce all come together in the slow cooker with almost no effort.
It’s comfort food at its finest, made with simple pantry ingredients—perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or just when you need something warm and cozy.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Rice
🍗 Ingredients
👉 For the Slow Cooker:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced carrots
👉 To Add Later:
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 cup frozen peas or chopped broccoli
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
👉 For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
- Extra cheese
- A squeeze of fresh lemon (optional)
🍲 Instructions
1️⃣ Start with the chicken base
Add chicken, broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, all spices, onion, garlic, and carrots to the crockpot. Stir gently.
2️⃣ Cook without rice
Cover and cook on LOW for 3½ hours (or HIGH for 1½–2 hours), until chicken is almost cooked through.
3️⃣ Add the rice
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear (this helps prevent mushiness). Stir it into the crockpot, making sure it’s submerged in the liquid.
👉 Tip: If your crockpot runs hot, keep a close eye here or switch to warm earlier.
4️⃣ Finish cooking
Cover and cook for another 45–60 minutes on LOW until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked. If using HIGH, reduce time to 25–30 minutes and check sooner.
5️⃣ Add the veggies
Stir in peas or broccoli, then cover and let sit for 5–10 minutes to soften.
6️⃣ Make it creamy (optional)
Stir in cheddar cheese just before serving.
7️⃣ Serve and garnish
Spoon into bowls and top with fresh parsley, lemon juice, or more cheese.
🧠 Pro Tips
- Don’t add rice at the beginning – that’s how you get mush!
- Rinse your rice – removes excess starch and keeps texture firm.
- Shred chicken after rice cooks – this keeps everything at the right doneness.
- Adjust liquid as needed – If it looks too thick before adding rice, stir in an extra ¼ cup of broth.
💡 What to Serve with It?
- Steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts
- A simple side salad with a lemon vinaigrette
- Garlic bread (because creamy rice + bread = perfection)
💡 Why This Method Works (No More Mushy Rice or Crunchy Carrots!)
If you’ve ever tried slow cooker chicken and rice and ended up with mushy rice or still-crunchy carrots, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common complaints in crockpot cooking—and we’ve fixed it.
Here’s what we changed and why it works:
🥕 Carrots Go in Early
By adding the diced carrots at the very beginning, they get 3–4 hours of gentle cooking, which is plenty of time to soften up without going mushy. No more biting into a half-raw carrot at dinner time.
🍚 Rice Goes in Late
Adding rice at the beginning might seem easier—but it’s the fastest way to end up with a mushy, starchy mess. We add rinsed, long-grain rice after the chicken is nearly done. This gives the rice about 45–60 minutes to cook just right in the flavorful broth without overcooking.
🔄 Layering & Timing Are Everything
We don’t just dump everything in. This method uses staggered layering:
- The chicken and hearty veg cook first.
- Then the rice is added when there’s still enough liquid left.
- Finally, delicate veggies like peas or broccoli go in at the end so they stay bright and fresh—not mushy.
This means everything finishes at the right time with no weird textures.
🐔 Chicken Stays Juicy
Since the chicken cooks in flavorful broth and is shredded after it’s done, it stays juicy and tender. You’re not drying it out while waiting for the rice to catch up.
This Crockpot Chicken and Rice is creamy, cozy, and ridiculously easy—the kind of set-it-and-forget-it meal that makes dinner stress-free. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something comforting, this dish never disappoints.
