Description
Savory crockpot cheesy chicken and rice delivers comfort straight from Southern kitchens. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a rich meal that satisfies hunger and warms souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
Grains and Base:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
Dairy and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Vegetable:
- 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Layer tender chicken pieces with uncooked rice in the slow cooker, creating a foundational base for the hearty dish.
- Pour chicken broth and cream of chicken soup over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and moisture distribution.
- Sprinkle minced onion and garlic throughout the mixture, adding aromatic depth and flavor complexity.
- Season with salt and pepper, gently mixing to integrate seasoning evenly across all ingredients.
- Cover and set crockpot to low temperature, allowing ingredients to simmer and meld together for 4-6 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked and rice reaches perfect tenderness.
- Once cooking completes, gently fold shredded cheddar cheese and butter into the mixture, stirring until cheese melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
- If desired, incorporate frozen peas and let them warm through for an additional 10 minutes, adding vibrant color and subtle sweetness.
- Carefully transfer the creamy chicken and rice to serving dishes, ensuring each portion includes a balanced mix of ingredients.
- Serve immediately while hot, allowing the rich, cheesy flavors to shine and provide ultimate comfort.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easy shredding.
- Rinse rice before adding to prevent clumping and ensure fluffy texture.
- Replace cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt or homemade cream sauce for healthier option.
- For gluten-free version, use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and verify broth ingredients.
- Swap white rice with brown rice for added nutrition, but increase cooking time by 1-2 hours.
- Add extra flavor with smoked paprika, dried thyme, or Italian seasoning blend.
- Let chicken rest for 10 minutes after cooking to maintain moisture and make shredding easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (or 6 hours)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg