By Becky Hardin
Updated Jan 22, 2026
When I’m looking for easy, creamy comfort food, I turn to this crockpot chicken and rice. It’s so simple to make—just mix some rice with a creamy sauce, pour over chicken thighs, and cook. I like to add cheddar cheese at the end because who doesn’t love cheese?! This is the perfect satisfying weeknight dinner the whole fam will love!
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5-Star Review
“Made this for dinner tonight and it turned out great! Thanks for the recipe!” – Elizabeth
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice Recipe
There’s nothing I love more than a hearty, comforting meal that’s mostly hands-off. Chicken and rice is a classic dinner in our house, and this easy crockpot version is one both kids and adults love. I mix tender chicken with cheesy rice and let it slow-cook.
This recipe uses mostly pantry items that you can keep on hand for when you need an easy midweek meal. I usually have a few cans of cream soup and long-grain rice in the pantry, which means I can easily pull this recipe together in the morning so we can sit down to a creamy, cheesy, meal in the evening.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
- Use chicken thighs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for this recipe, but you could also use chicken breasts.
- Long grain rice . I recommend using long-grain rice for this recipe. You can use other types, but they may need a different cook time. Avoid instant or cauliflower rice.
- For properly cooked rice. Cook on high for 3-4 hours for the best rice texture. Cooking this recipe on a lower heat for longer leads to mushy rice.
- Modify the cook time if needed. If the rice isn’t cooked through, keep cooking. Temperatures can vary amongst crockpots, so yours may need more time. If the rice seems dry, add more stock as needed to help it continue to cook.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½-2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs chicken thighs or turkey breast also work
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt divided, plus more to taste
- ▢ 1 tsp ground black pepper divided, plus more to taste
- ▢ 10.75 oz. condensed cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- ▢ 10.75 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup (1 can)
- ▢ 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 1 tsp onion powder
- ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
- ▢ 1½ cups long-grain rice
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Parmesan also works
Video
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot insert. Season with half of the salt and pepper. 1½-2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper
- In a large bowl, whisk the soups, chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder, remaining salt and pepper, and rice. Pour over the chicken. 10.75 oz. condensed cream of chicken soup, 10.75 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup low sodium chicken broth, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1½ cups long-grain rice
- Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- After cooking, turn off the crockpot. Remove the chicken, shred it, and add it back to the crockpot.
- Stir to combine and thin out with additional chicken broth, if needed.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the cheese on top, cover, and let it melt for 5-10 minutes before serving. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Equipment
- Crockpot
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Rice Step by Step
Gather your ingredients.
Season the chicken: Place 1½-2 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the crockpot and season with ½ tsp each of salt and pepper.
Combine the soups, seasoning, and rice: In a large bowl, combine a 10.75-oz. can of condensed cream of chicken soup, a 10.75-oz. can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tsp of onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, the remaining ½ tsp each of salt and pepper, and 1½ cups long-grain rice. Pour this mixture over the chicken.
Cook: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Shred the chicken: Once the cook time is up, turn off the crockpot. Remove the chicken, shred it, and then place it back in the crockpot. Stir to combine and thin out with additional chicken broth, if needed.
Top with cheese: Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if required. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, cover, and let it melt for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Serve: Serve warm and enjoy.
Recipe Variations
- Swap the soup. Swap one of the cans of soup for a can of cream of celery soup to change the flavor of your chicken and rice.
- Use turkey breast. Easily swap the chicken for turkey breast.
- Add veggies. Add veggies in the last hour of cooking, such as chopped carrots, broccoli, green beans, or celery.
- Try a different cheese. Swap the cheddar cheese for Parmesan cheese if you prefer.
How to Store
Store leftover chicken and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers as cream-based recipes become grainy when thawed.
Reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts until warmed through. You may wish to add a splash of water or chicken broth to help the rice steam.
Serving Suggestions
I find this crockpot chicken and rice is a meal on its own, but I like to add a few veggie sides to round things out. Some of my favorites include savory sauteed mushrooms , or if I’m in the mood for something on the slightly sweeter side, roasted honeynut squash is ideal. Sometimes I’ll start us off with beef barley soup or a kale salad .
more chicken and rice recipes
BLT Chicken and Rice Skillet
Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Chicken Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
Chicken Fried Rice
Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1½-2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs chicken thighs or turkey breast also work
- 1 tsp kosher salt divided, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp ground black pepper divided, plus more to taste
- 10.75 oz. condensed cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- 10.75 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup (1 can)
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ cups long-grain rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Parmesan also works
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot insert. Season with half of the salt and pepper. 1½-2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper
- In a large bowl, whisk the soups, chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder, remaining salt and pepper, and rice. Pour over the chicken. 10.75 oz. condensed cream of chicken soup, 10.75 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup low sodium chicken broth, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1½ cups long-grain rice
- Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- After cooking, turn off the crockpot. Remove the chicken, shred it, and add it back to the crockpot.
- Stir to combine and thin out with additional chicken broth, if needed.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the cheese on top, cover, and let it melt for 5-10 minutes before serving. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
