Crockpot Chicken and Rice
by Sommer Collier — last updated on May 28, 2025 
This unique and incredibly delicious Crock Pot Chicken and Rice recipe includes tender brown rice, cream cheese, and boneless chicken thighs for a rich and hearty slow cooker dish that everyone is sure to love!
The Secret to the Best Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
For years, I’ve received questions about cooking chicken and rice in the crockpot… We have some fabulous chicken and rice recipes (Nana’s Epic Chicken and Rice is a longtime favorite!) on the site, but I do not generally suggest trying to cook them in the slow cooker.
However, I have found there’s one chicken and rice recipe that you can consistently make in the crockpot with great success… And that is our Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice recipe with brown rice!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Cozy, delicious, and oh-so customizable chicken and rice recipes are a staple in our home and on the site. From vibrant dishes like Arroz con Pollo and Cajun Chicken and Rice, to comfort food meals like Chicken Congee and Chicken Bog, we love how diverse and easy these recipes are – and how they always satisfy.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
- Hearty Brown Rice – Unlike long grain rice, like jasmine or basmati rice that get mushy, brown rice is heartier and typically takes longer to cook. Perfect for the slow cooker!
- Simple Ingredients, BIG Flavor – We’ve found the best combination of staple ingredients that makes a wonderful cheesy chicken and rice recipe with ranch flavor.
- Fabulous Leftovers – The flavors get richer as they sit together! Even when the rice gets a bit softer when reheated, it still holds up quite well and tastes amazing.
I guarantee that you will love it, and so will your kids!
Ingredients and Tips
- Chicken thighs – Boneless and skinless thighs cook beautifully in the crock pot!
- Brown rice – Rinse the rice first to remove some of the starchiness.
- Veggies – We’ve added chopped onion and celery, but check out a few additional options below!
- Cheesy ranch goodness – The combination of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and a ranch dip packet is irresistibly tangy and rich.
Recipe Variations
- Chicken – Feel free to use leaner chicken breasts if you prefer.
- Rice – If you’re not concerned about super soft rice, you can certainly use long-grain jasmine or basmati rice to make this recipe.
- Veggies – You can add in other optional vegetables or ingredients such as scallions, bell peppers, carrots, parsley, etc.
How to Make Chicken and Rice in the Crockpot
There’s no guarantee your temperatures for low and high on your crockpot are the same as on any of my crockpots. (I have 3 slow cookers and they all cook the same recipe differently.) Because of this, you’ll notice most slow cooker recipes – this one included – offer a time range that could vary up to several hours in cooking time.
Find the full Crockpot Chicken and Rice recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Cool the rice and chicken before storing them in an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing – You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, but note that the rice will become softer when thawed and reheated.
- Reheating – Transfer leftovers to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second bursts at 50% power. Stir in between each burst.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Chicken and Rice
You’ve already got your main protein and carbs in this crockpot chicken and rice recipe. So all you need is some kind of veggie and you’re all set!
The melt-in-your-mouth coziness is perfect with tender green beans, steamed or roasted broccoli, and roasted broccoli and cauliflower. Or keep things fresh and simple with a crisp green salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yup, the dried brown rice and the raw thighs go right into the pot together!
Yes – at least to start. The water is added so it just covers the thighs before turning on the crockpot.
Brown rice has more fiber and is overall more nutrients-dense than white rice, so it’s usually considered to be the better option.
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Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ – 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups brown rice dried
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1 packet ranch dip mix or 2 packets for extra ranch flavor!
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Set out a large 6-8 quart crockpot.
- Place the dried brown rice in a bowl and rinse with cold water, stirring with your hand to release the starches. Then pour the rice into a sieve to drain off the excess water.
- Add the chicken thighs, brown rice, chopped onion, chopped celery, cubes of cream cheese, ranch packet, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper to the slow cooker. *One packet of ranch dip mix will create a nice light herby essence. For a bold ranch flavor, add two packets.
- Pour the water (or chicken broth) over the ingredients and gently shake the crock to make sure all the rice is submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the crockpot and turn on HIGH. Cook for 3 hours. Then check the rice. If it needs additional time, cook in 15-minute increments until the rice is soft and tender, but not mushy. *You can also use the LOW setting on your crockpot for 5-6 hours, but it is much less reliable for cooking the rice. We suggest the first time you try this recipe cook it on high.
- Once the rice is fork-tender, use two forks to find and shred the chicken thighs into large bite-size pieces.
- Add the shredded cheese and gently fold it in until melted. If the rice seems too thick, add an additional ½ cup of water and stir again to loosen the cheesy sauce.
- Serve warm, as-is or with fresh toppings like chopped scallions or parsley.
Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Cool the rice and chicken before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing – You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months, but note that the rice with become softer when thawed and reheated.
- Reheating – Transfer leftovers to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second bursts at 50% power. Stir in between each burst.
This crockpot chicken and rice is pure comfort in a bowl. Super easy to throw together in the morning and ready by dinnertime – perfection!
So simple yet so flavorful! My whole family cleaned their plates and asked for seconds. Perfect cozy meal for chilly nights!
Absolutely loved this recipe! The chicken was so tender and the rice turned out perfectly cooked. It’s now a staple in our dinner rotation.