Description
This Crock Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe is a comforting and creamy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts, long grain brown rice, and a rich homemade cream sauce made with butter, garlic, and cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hands-off slow cooker dinner, this dish is flavored with parsley and seasoned simply with salt and pepper for a satisfying family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Cream Sauce:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Chicken and Rice:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups long grain brown rice
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the roux and sauce: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the butter and let it melt. Then add the diced onions and sauté for about 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the cream sauce: Sprinkle flour over the melted butter and onions, stirring constantly to form a roux. Slowly pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and the whole milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Stir in dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Grease a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray or butter. Pour the prepared cream sauce into the Crockpot. Add cubed chicken breasts, 2 cups chicken broth, and 1 1/2 cups long grain brown rice. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook in Crockpot: Cover and cook on HIGH heat for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the chicken broth has been absorbed by the rice and the chicken is cooked through.
- Add cheese and serve: Once cooked, stir in 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents that create a gritty texture.
- If you prefer white rice, adjust the cooking time as brown rice requires longer cooking.
- Ensure the slow cooker is properly greased to prevent sticking.
- You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a slightly lighter sauce.
