I love a good meal that comes together without a fuss, especially when chicken and rice are involved. It’s a classic combination for a reason – it’s comforting, filling, and can be changed in so many ways.
Today, I’m sharing two of my favorite chicken and rice recipes that make weeknight cooking simple. You’ll find options for slow cooking and using your crock pot, all designed to give you maximum flavor with minimal effort. Let’s get cooking!
Jump to Recipe:
Easy Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Meal
Your slow cooker does all the hard work here, creating super tender chicken with bright lemon and herb notes. It’s a great option for setting it and forgetting it, coming home to a comforting meal ready to eat.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Slow Cooker Success
- Use Chicken Thighs: Dark meat like chicken thighs stays moist and tender even with longer cooking times in the slow cooker, giving you a better result.
- Add Rice Later: To prevent mushy rice, add it during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking. This lets it absorb the liquids without becoming overcooked.
What You Need for Lemon Herb Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced (plus extra for serving)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
⏱️ Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Set Up Slow Cooker
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker. Place the chicken thighs at the bottom. Sprinkle with chopped onion, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Arrange lemon slices over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 3.5-5 hours or on high for 1.5-2.5 hours, until the chicken is almost cooked through.
Step 2: Add Rice & Finish
Stir in the rinsed rice. Continue cooking for another 30-60 minutes on high, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Once cooked, you can shred the chicken right in the slow cooker with two forks. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
📝 Final Note
For a richer flavor, you can quickly sear the chicken thighs in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker, but this step is optional.
Easy Southwest Chicken and Rice Crock Pot Recipe
This crock pot meal is packed with bold Southwest flavors like corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. It’s a hearty and satisfying dinner that requires very little active cooking time from you.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Southwest Flavor
- Use Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: These add a lot of flavor and a little heat without needing extra steps. If you prefer less spice, use plain diced tomatoes.
- Add Toppings: Fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or shredded cheese are great additions when serving to complete the meal.
What You Need for Southwest Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
⏱️ Time: 3-4 hours (high) or 6-8 hours (low)🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Add Ingredients to Crock Pot
Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, rinsed black beans, drained corn, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth. Cover and cook on high for 3-3.5 hours or on low for 6-7 hours, until the chicken is easily shredded.
Step 2: Shred Chicken & Cook Rice
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the rinsed white rice. Cover and cook for another 30-45 minutes on high, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Stir well before serving and garnish with fresh cilantro.
📝 Final Note
This dish is excellent for meal prep! Divide it into containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. It reheats well in the microwave.