Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Casserole

This Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Casserole is a dinner time staple at my house! Tender chicken, flavorful rice and corn all in a creamy, cheesy sauce.  Just 6 ingredients and a few seasonings and you will have a family favorite dinner that is sure to be a hit.

This crockpot chicken and rice casserole is a simple and hearty classic comfort food the whole family will devour. This dish combines the tender, juicy flavors of chicken with the wholesome goodness of rice, resulting in a meal that's both satisfying and easy to prepare. 

Your trusty crockpot does the heavy lifting, allowing you to enjoy the rich flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. 

Preparing a crockpot chicken and rice casserole is a great way to serve up a complete meal with minimal effort. It's perfect for those busy weekdays when time is scarce, or when you simply crave a home-cooked meal with simple ingredients and without the fuss. 

This is sure to become one of your favorite recipes after a busy day. If you love this recipe try my most popular recipe, Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.

Why this recipe works

• Effortless Preparation: Just a simple layering of ingredients in the crock pot, and you’re set to go.
• Comforting Meal: The slow cooking process infuses the rice and chicken with a deep flavor, creating a warm and satisfying dish.
• Time-Saving: Get on with your day while your easy meal cooks itself.
• No Fuss Cleanup: This one-pot meal leaves you with fewer dishes to wash.
• Family-Friendly: A hit with kids and adults alike, perfect for the entire family on busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the complete recipe and printable recipe card. 

Chicken breast: we used boneless skinless chicken breasts that've been diced into bite sized pieces. Boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work as will chicken tenderloins.

Rice: we used Zataran's Yellow rice mix for the best flavor. It's long grain rice mixed with seasonings and can be found in the rice aisle of the grocery store. There are many varieties of pre-packaged rice mixes that you can try. We love Spanish rice too. If you choose a brown rice variety, cook time may need to be increased.

Cream of chicken soup: this is the classic ingredient, but you can substitute with cream of mushroom soup if preferred. My homemade cream of mushroom version is delicious! Cream of celery soup can also be used.

Onions: Chop them finely to release their flavors and infuse your casserole with a savory base.

Frozen Corn: A handy addition that requires no prep. 

Salt and black pepper, garlic powder

Shredded cheddar cheese - or any cheese you love. Parmesan, mozzarella, and pepper Jack are all good choices.

Directions

1) Spray the inside of your slow cooker with some non-stick spray.

2) Place chicken pieces inside the slow cooker insert. Sprinkle your seasonings over the top of the chicken.

3) Add the cream of chicken soup, onion, and corn to the pot. You could do this separately in a medium bowl and then smoother the chicken with the mixture.

4) Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. My chicken was cooked at the 3 hour mark on high heat.

5) 30 minutes before you are ready to serve, stir in the rice mix and shredded cheese. 

6) Cover and cook for 30 -45 minutes more or until rice is tender and cheese melts.

7) Turn slow cooker to the warm setting and serve with sliced green onions or chopped parsley over top.

Kitchen tips

• Always cook chicken to 165 degrees F. Cooking time may vary.
• Serve with a green salad, steamed green beans, or my homemade tomato basil soup.
• If your mixture is too dry, try adding a little bit of warmed chicken broth.

Can you put raw chicken in the crockpot?

Yes, this recipe calls for uncooked or raw chicken. Just be sure to cook the chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer to be sure.

Variations

Variations can keep your casserole exciting and tailor it to your personal taste. For instance, you can add different vegetables like diced bell peppers, peas, chopped broccoli, or spinach for extra nutrients, or mix in black beans for an additional protein punch. 

You can achieve different flavors by choosing herbs like Italian seasoning, paprika, chili powder, or dried oregano.

How to store

• Let leftovers cool to room temperature before storing.
• Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to four days. 
• Reheat single servings covered with a damp paper towel in the microwave until hot. Stir at the halfway point. For best results, use lower power to avoid over cooking the chicken.
• Freeze in freezer safe airtight containers for up to 8 weeks.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat in the microwave.

More crockpot chicken reicpes

Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Crockpot Creamy Ranch Chicken

Crockpot Cream Cheese White Chicken Chili