Get ready to discover your new favorite set-it-and-forget-it meal. This Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice recipe is the answer to busy weeknights, delivering a comforting, flavorful, and complete dinner with minimal effort. We’re talking tender, juicy chicken and perfectly fluffy rice infused with a rich garlic herb sauce, all cooked together in one pot.
This isn’t just another bland slow cooker meal. It’s a game-changer that combines simple ingredients to create a dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Say goodbye to dinnertime stress and hello to your new go-to comfort food.
It all starts with perfectly seasoned chicken.
Why This Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice Recipe is a Weeknight Winner
There are countless reasons to love this dish, but here’s why it will become a staple in your home. First, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, tenderizing the chicken until it’s perfectly shreddable and allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. It’s a true one-pot wonder, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze.
Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it with your favorite vegetables or spices. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal-prepping for the week, this Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice is as practical as it is delicious.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of pantry staples to create this amazing meal. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work wonderfully, but thighs are also a great option for extra flavor and moisture.
Garlic: This is the star of the show. Use fresh minced garlic for the best, most robust flavor.
Rice: Long-grain white rice is recommended for its ability to cook up fluffy without getting mushy.
Chicken Broth: Use a good quality low-sodium chicken broth as the cooking liquid.
Herbs & Seasonings: A simple blend of dried parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper is all it takes to season this dish to perfection.
How to Make Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice (Step-by-Step)
Making this flavorful crockpot meal is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps for a perfect dinner.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season them generously on all sides with salt, pepper, dried parsley, and thyme. Place the seasoned chicken at the bottom of your crockpot in a single layer.
Tender, juicy chicken is the heart of this dish.
Step 2: Add Aromatics and Liquid
Sprinkle the minced garlic over the chicken. Pour the low-sodium chicken broth into the crockpot, ensuring it surrounds the chicken. This liquid is crucial for cooking both the chicken and the rice later on.
Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender enough to shred easily with a fork. Avoid overcooking, as this can dry out the chicken breasts.
Step 4: Cook the Rice
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and set it aside to shred. Do not drain the liquid. Stir the rinsed long-grain white rice into the liquid remaining in the crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 30-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Step 5: Shred and Combine
While the rice is cooking, shred the chicken using two forks. Once the rice is done, return the shredded chicken to the crockpot. Stir everything together to combine, allowing the chicken to soak up any remaining sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect, Fluffy Rice Every Time
The biggest challenge with slow cooker rice is preventing it from becoming mushy. The key is to add the rice at the end of the cooking process, not the beginning. Rinsing your rice before adding it to the pot also removes excess starch, which helps the grains stay separate and fluffy. For another fantastic and reliable rice dish, check out this creamy stovetop garlic chicken and rice.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. For a richer, creamier sauce, stir in a half-cup of heavy cream or cream cheese at the end with the shredded chicken. For extra nutrients, feel free to add vegetables like frozen peas, corn, or diced carrots during the last 30 minutes of the rice cooking time. And if you’re a fan of garlic, don’t shy away from trying other garlic-infused dishes like this sticky garlic chicken with noodles.
What to Serve with Your Chicken and Rice
This Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple side. A fresh green salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted green beans are excellent choices. For a heartier companion, consider serving it with a side of delicious brown sugar roasted butternut squash.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute and will result in even more moist and flavorful meat. The cooking time will remain the same.
The key is to add the rice towards the end of the cooking process, after the chicken is fully cooked. Adding it at the beginning with the chicken will cause it to overcook and become mushy. Rinsing the rice first also helps.
Yes! This recipe is very versatile. You can add hearty vegetables like carrots and celery at the beginning with the chicken, or stir in quick-cooking vegetables like frozen peas or corn during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or gently warm it on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture.
You can, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and liquid. Brown rice takes longer to cook. After removing the chicken, you may need to cook the brown rice for 1.5-2.5 hours on high. You might also need to add a bit more broth.
We hope you love this simple and delicious Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice! It’s a recipe designed to make your life easier without sacrificing flavor. If you make it, please leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see it!
The easiest and most flavorful one-pot meal!
Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice Recipe
FL Recipes
Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice: The Easiest, Most Flavorful Meal
This Crockpot Garlic Chicken and Rice is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal. Tender chicken and fluffy rice cook together in a savory garlic herb sauce for a delicious, easy, one-pot dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them on all sides with salt, pepper, dried parsley, and thyme. Place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Sprinkle the minced garlic over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth.
Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Remove the chicken from the crockpot. Stir the rinsed rice into the liquid in the crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
While the rice cooks, shred the chicken. Once the rice is finished, return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 45gFat: 8gFiber: 2g
Notes
For best results, use long-grain white rice and rinse it thoroughly before cooking to prevent it from becoming sticky. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keyword crockpot chicken and rice,garlic chicken,slow cooker chicken
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
