Slow Cooker Cream of Mushroom Chicken and Rice

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Creamy slow cooker chicken and rice is an easy and comforting one-pot dinner with rice, condensed soup, melty cheddar, onions, and juicy chicken.

Prep Time10

Cook Time3 30

Total Time3 40

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: slow cooker chicken and rice

Servings: servings

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut to 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon minced garlic
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 small yellow onion finely diced
½ teaspoon paprika
2½ to 3 cups chicken broth 2 ½ cups for a thicker, or 3 cups for a creamier meal
10.5 ounces can cream of mushroom soup
1½ cups basmati rice or brown rice *see notes below*
1½ cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese

Prepare the chicken. Cut your chicken into 1-inch pieces. Add the chicken to the slow cooker, then add the garlic, salt, pepper, onion, and paprika.
Add the liquids. Pour in the chicken broth and cream of mushroom soup. Give it a good stir. If you are using brown rice, you can add it at this point. If you are using basmati rice, set it aside for later.
Cooking time. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on the HIGH setting for 2 ½-3 ½ hours. If you are using basmati rice, rinse it well and add it at the 2-hour mark. If needed, add some extra broth. Check the basmati rice after 30 minutes of cooking, as some slow cookers cook faster than others.
Add the cheese. When done cooking, stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and then add the remaining cheese on top. Cook covered for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Serve. Serve the chicken and rice warm, garnished with chopped parsley.

Brown vs. basmati rice: Brown rice requires a longer cooking time and can be added at the beginning of cooking. Basmati rice cooks much faster and should be added later to prevent it from becoming overly soft or mushy. If you want to avoid extra steps, then use brown rice.
Rinse the rice well before adding it to remove excess starch and improve texture.
Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
If the mixture becomes too thick, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth before serving.
Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker model.
If you want to add some veggies, like broccoli or peas, add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking.