Looking for a simple, delicious, and budget-friendly meal the whole family will love? This crockpot chicken and rice casserole is your answer! It’s a true one-pot dinner that saves you time and dishes while delivering bold, comforting flavors. Plus, it’s versatile enough to customize with your favorite veggies or toppings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pot Simplicity
There’s nothing better than a dinner that minimizes both effort and dishes! This crockpot chicken and rice casserole cooks everything together in one pot, freeing you from the hassle of juggling multiple pans and cleaning up a sink full of dishes. All you need to do is dice your ingredients, toss them in the slow cooker, and let it work its magic.

Family-Friendly
This recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. With its creamy, cheesy texture and comforting flavors, even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds. Kids love the gooey melted cheese, while adults appreciate the hearty, filling meal that satisfies without feeling heavy.

Budget-Conscious
Stretch your grocery budget with this recipe by combining protein-packed chicken with cost-effective ingredients like rice and canned soup. You can make a large batch for a fraction of the cost of eating out, and there’s plenty of room to use ingredients you already have on hand. Plus, the casserole nature of this dish makes it easy to stretch leftovers into lunch or dinner the next day.

Customizable
This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences or what you have in your pantry. Add fresh or frozen veggies like broccoli, peas, or carrots for an extra boost of nutrition, or swap brown rice for quinoa or wild rice for a twist. Seasonings can also be adjusted to suit your taste—add a kick of cayenne for spice or sprinkle fresh herbs for a gourmet touch.

Food Prep Made Simple

Busy weeknights call for recipes that save time and effort, and this one delivers. The prep work is minimal: simply dice chicken breasts, chop half an onion, and measure out a few pantry staples like rice, chicken broth, and cream of chicken soup. Everything gets added directly into the slow cooker—no pre-cooking required! Just give it a quick stir, set the timer, and walk away while the slow cooker does the rest.

This simplicity makes it ideal for meal-prepping parents, college students, or anyone juggling a packed schedule. You can even prepare the ingredients the night before, refrigerate them, and start cooking the next morning.

Healthy and Balanced

This casserole isn’t just delicious—it’s also a wholesome, balanced meal. The lean chicken breast provides high-quality protein to keep you full and energized, while the brown rice adds fiber and essential nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins.

Adding vegetables like broccoli or peas takes the dish to the next level by providing vitamins, antioxidants, and additional fiber. The recipe avoids heavy cream and sticks to simple, clean ingredients, so you can feel good about serving it to your family. For those watching their calorie intake, you can even serve it with a side salad or substitute cheese with a lighter option like reduced-fat cheddar.rich brown rice, this casserole is packed with protein and fiber. Add in veggies like broccoli, peas, or carrots for an even more balanced meal.

Equipment and Tools You’ll Need

1. Slow Cooker (6-Quart or Larger)
The star of the show for this recipe is your slow cooker. A 6-quart model is the perfect size to handle all the ingredients for this hearty casserole without overflowing. If you’re cooking for a larger family or want to double the recipe, a larger slow cooker will work just as well. Don’t worry about having a fancy or expensive model—any basic slow cooker will do the job. Look for one with a “Keep Warm” setting to keep your casserole at the perfect temperature until you’re ready to serve.

2. Cutting Board and Knife
You’ll need a sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife to prep your chicken and onions. A non-slip cutting board is ideal for safety, especially when dicing chicken into 1-inch pieces. If you’re adding extra vegetables like carrots, peas, or broccoli, your knife will come in handy for those as well. For easy cleanup, consider using two separate cutting boards: one for raw chicken and another for vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.

3. Mixing Spoon
A good mixing spoon is essential for stirring the ingredients together in your slow cooker. A long-handled, heat-resistant spoon works best for reaching all the way to the bottom of the pot and ensuring the rice and chicken are evenly distributed. Silicone or wooden spoons are ideal since they’re gentle on the slow cooker’s non-stick surface.

4. Cheese Grater
If there’s one tool that will take your casserole to the next level, it’s a cheese grater. Hand-shredded cheese melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents that can result in a grainy texture. A sturdy box grater or a rotary grater works perfectly for shredding cheese quickly. Plus, you can use it to grate additional ingredients like carrots or zucchini if you’re customizing your casserole with veggies.

Crockpot Chicken and Rice Casserole: A One-Pot Wonder

Author: Justin
Total Time: 4 Hours
Yield: 4-6 servings

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Chicken Breasts: 2 boneless, skinless, diced into 1-inch pieces.

Brown Rice: 1 1/2 cups uncooked.

Chicken Broth: 3 cups.

Cream of Chicken Soup: 1 can (or homemade substitute).

Onion: 1/2, diced.

Minced Garlic: 1 tsp.

Seasonings: 1 tsp each of salt and black pepper.

Cheese: 2 cups shredded (cheddar works great!).

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place them in the crockpot.

Dice the onion and add it to the pot, along with minced garlic.

Step 2: Add the Liquids and Seasonings

Pour in the chicken broth and add the cream of chicken soup.

Sprinkle in the salt and pepper, and stir to combine.

Step 3: Add the Rice

Add the uncooked brown rice to the crockpot. Stir to ensure all rice is submerged in liquid.

Step 4: Cook the Casserole

Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 3½ to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.

Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain heat and moisture.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Serve

Once the rice and chicken are fully cooked, stir in 2 cups of shredded cheese. Allow it to melt (10–15 minutes).

If the casserole is too thick, add water or broth, ¼ cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (dicing chicken and onions, assembling ingredients).
Cook Time: 3.5 to 4 hours on high in the crock pot.
Category: Dinner, Casserole, One-Pot Meal.
Method: Slow cooking in a crock pot.
Cuisine: American comfort food.

Tips and Tricks

Switch It Up: Add frozen or fresh veggies like peas, carrots, or broccoli. For veggies that cook quickly, add them 30 minutes before serving.
Cheese Tip: Hand-shred your cheese for smoother melting. Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.
Rice Options: If you prefer white rice or minute rice, add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking.
Top It Off: Add crushed tortilla chips or breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping before serving.

Ready to Eat

This crockpot chicken and rice casserole is thick, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. Serve it as is or pair it with a simple side salad. Your family will love this comforting dish, and you’ll love how easy it is to prepare!

Final Thoughts
This one-pot crockpot chicken and rice casserole is a true lifesaver for busy families. It’s a meal you’ll keep coming back to for its simplicity, versatility, and delicious flavors.

Did you try this recipe? Drop a comment and let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and share your variations.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Nikki! I’m all about creating budget-friendly recipes that don’t compromise on flavor. Follow me for more easy and delicious meal ideas for your family!

Enjoy your casserole adventure!