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Easy Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice: The Best One-Pot Meal

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This easy creamy crockpot chicken and rice is a one-pot wonder that delivers tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a velvety sauce without any pre-cooking or extra dishes. It’s a budget-friendly, dairy-free comfort meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 4–5 thighs)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Juice of half a lemon

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: dice the onion, mince the garlic, measure out the rice and broth.
  2. Add the rinsed rice to the slow cooker, then pour in the chicken broth and coconut milk. Stir to combine.
  3. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme.
  4. Nestle the seasoned chicken thighs into the rice mixture. Scatter the diced onion and minced garlic on top and around the chicken. Do NOT stir after this point.
  5. Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Set a timer for 3 hours and check at that point.
  6. After 3 hours, the chicken should shred easily with a fork and the rice should be tender but still hold its shape. If the rice is still firm, cook another 30 minutes. If the chicken is done but the rice needs more time, remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
  7. Use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. Stir gently to distribute the shredded meat throughout the rice.
  8. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and the lemon juice. The residual heat will warm them through in about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Turn off the slow cooker and let the dish sit for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh parsley if using.

Notes

Rinse the rice to remove excess starch and prevent gummy texture. Do not lift the lid during cooking, as it adds 15-20 minutes to the cooking time. If the sauce is too thin, let it sit uncovered on warm for 15-20 minutes to thicken. For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk; for a non-dairy creamy version, stir in ¼ cup cashew cream at the end. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken and rice, creamy chicken and rice, slow cooker chicken and rice, one-pot meal, dairy-free chicken and rice, easy chicken dinner

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/easy-creamy-crockpot-chicken-and-rice-the-best-one-pot-meal/