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Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice: A One-Pot Meal for Busy Weeknights


  • Author: Jessica

Description

Discover how to make this incredibly easy and delicious Crockpot Chicken and Rice recipe! This one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy sauce all in your slow cooker.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1– to 1½-inch pieces
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup long-grain brown rice or risotto rice, rinsed
  • 1 lb broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Cutting for Even Cooking

  1. Cut Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks, about 1 to 1 ½ inches in size.
    • Tip: Cutting the chicken into uniform pieces ensures even cooking.

2. Make the Sauce: Combining the Flavors

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chicken broth, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard (if using), dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Whisk: Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined and the sauce is smooth.

3. Assemble in the Crockpot: Layering for Optimal Cooking

  1. Add Rice: Pour the rinsed rice into the bottom of your crockpot, spreading it out in an even layer.
  2. Add Chicken: Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice.
  3. Pour Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken and rice. Stir gently to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
  4. Top with Broccoli: Arrange the broccoli florets on top of the chicken and sauce.

4. Slow Cook to Perfection: Tender Chicken and Fluffy Rice

  1. Cover: Cover the crockpot with its lid.
  2. Cook: Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
    • Check for Doneness: The chicken should be cooked through (no longer pink in the center), the rice should be tender and fluffy, and the broccoli should be cooked to your preference. The liquid should be mostly absorbed.

5. Add Cheese and Melt: The Finishing Touch

  1. Stir in Cheese: Stir in half of the grated cheddar cheese (1 cup) into the cooked chicken and rice mixture.
  2. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheese (1 cup) evenly over the top of the mixture.
  3. Melt Cheese: Cover the crockpot again and let it sit for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can either use the “warm” setting on your slow cooker or just turn it off and let the residual heat melt the cheese.

6. Serve and Enjoy: A Comforting and Flavorful Meal

  1. Serve Hot: Serve the Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice hot, directly from the slow cooker.
  2. Garnish (Optional): Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, or additional black pepper, if desired.