There’s something downright comforting about a dish that practically makes itself while filling your kitchen with the mouthwatering scent of tender chicken and creamy goodness. This Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe delivers exactly that—a cozy, satisfying meal that's easy to throw together and hard to forget.

The image shows a close-up of a creamy, cheesy rice dish inside a black pot. The dish has two main layers: a base of white rice mixed with small pieces of light-colored meat, and a top layer of melted orange cheese spread evenly, with some green herb bits sprinkled on top for color. A wooden spoon is scooping out a portion of the dish, showing the soft, mixed texture of rice and cheese inside the pot. The overall look is warm and rich, with vibrant orange and white colors standing out against the dark pot. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this creamy crockpot chicken and rice—it felt like magic. Toss everything in, set the timer, and come back to a meal that's tender, rich, and flavorful without any fuss. It's the perfect answer to busy weeknights.

Hands-off convenience: Simply add your ingredients to the crockpot and forget about it for a few hours—no constant stirring needed.
Comfort-food deliciousness: The creamy duo of chicken and mushroom soups makes every bite velvety and deeply flavorful.
Family-friendly: This meal hits all the right notes for kids and adults alike, turning simple ingredients into a crowd-pleaser.
Versatile and customizable: It’s easy to swap out ingredients or add your favorite veggies to keep things interesting.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in building that creamy, comforting texture and inviting flavor. When you combine the chicken with rich soups and rice, everything cooks evenly and soaks up all those lovely seasonings.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken thighs with smooth pale pink flesh, a small mound of coarse kosher salt crystals, a small pile of ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick creamy pale yellow chicken soup, another small white ceramic bowl with thick creamy beige mushroom soup, a small white ceramic bowl of golden chicken broth, a small heap of fine pale beige onion powder, a small heap of off-white garlic powder, a small mound of uncooked long-grain white rice, and a small pile of bright orange shredded cheddar cheese placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken thighs: They stay juicy and tender throughout the slow cooking, plus they shred beautifully.
Kosher salt: Enhances flavor and helps balance the creaminess.
Ground black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth without overpowering the dish.
Condensed cream of chicken soup: Brings richness and that classic creamy base.
Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Adds depth with its earthy mushroom flavor, blending perfectly with chicken.
Low sodium chicken broth: Keeps the dish moist and infuses savory notes while controlling saltiness.
Onion powder: Provides a gentle savory punch without the texture of fresh onions.
Garlic powder: Complements the onion powder with warm, aromatic flavor.
Long-grain rice: Absorbs the creamy liquid slowly, creating a tender but separate grain texture.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into a gooey topping that adds a sharp finish to the dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about the Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe is just how easy it is to tweak. Over time, I’ve played with swapping soups for dairy-free options or adding extra herbs to suit whatever mood we're in.

Variation: I once added chopped spinach and a handful of sun-dried tomatoes in the last 30 minutes of cooking—it added fresh color and an unexpected pop of flavor.
Dairy-free tweak: Using a coconut milk-based cream soup substitute keeps it creamy while suited for a dairy-free diet.
Spicy kick: Toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce if you like it with some heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe

A black plate holds a layered dish with two main layers; the bottom layer is light beige mashed potatoes mixed with small green herb pieces for texture, topped with an orange melted cheese layer that looks creamy and slightly stringy, covering shredded light brown chicken mixed into the potatoes. The dish has spots of green herbs sprinkled on top adding color contrast. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate, partially under the food. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Layer Your Chicken

I start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of the crockpot. Seasoning them with half the salt and pepper right away makes sure the meat is flavorful and juicy as it cooks. You’ll want to spread the thighs evenly in a single layer if possible—this helps them cook consistently.

Step 2: Mix Your Creamy Sauce and Rice

In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder, remaining salt and pepper, and the rice. This mixture is your creamy cooker’s magic—ensure it’s well combined so every grain of rice soaks up that delicious flavor.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow (or High and Quick)

Pour your soup and rice mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot. Cover with the lid and set your crockpot on high for 3-4 hours. I’ve found this timing yields tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice—but don’t hesitate to check towards the end, as crockpots can vary. If the rice isn’t quite done, just keep cooking and add a splash more broth if it gets too dry.

Step 4: Shred and Stir

Once the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender, turn off your crockpot. Carefully remove the chicken, shred it using two forks (this is actually kind of fun), and stir the shredded chicken back into the creamy rice mixture. If things seem a little thick, thin it out with more chicken broth until you reach the perfect consistency.

Step 5: Cheese It and Serve

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover again, and let it melt for 5-10 minutes. This final cheesy touch really completes the dish, making it irresistibly creamy and comforting. Then, serve up generous scoops and prepare for happy faces all around.

Top Tip

After cooking this dish several times, I’ve picked up a few handy tips that make the whole process smoother and your results even tastier. Trust me, these small tweaks can save you from common pitfalls and elevate your dinner.

Don’t rush the rice: Every crockpot heats differently. If your rice is still a bit firm at 4 hours, just add a splash of broth and cook a bit longer—you want tender, not mushy.
Shredding chicken while warm: Removing the chicken to shred while it's hot makes the process easier and helps it absorb the creamy sauce faster when you stir it back in.
Keep it creamy: If your crockpot tends to cook hotter, watch the liquid level. Add extra chicken broth if the dish looks dry before the end of cooking.
Cheese finish: Letting the cheese melt on top with the lid on keeps it moist and gooey—no dry patches or crusty cheese here!

How to Serve Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe

Creamy Chicken and Rice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top. It adds a bit of color and freshens up the richness without overpowering the creamy flavors. Sometimes a little squeeze of lemon juice brightens the whole dish too, especially if you’ve added extra cheese or broth.

Side Dishes

For sides, I like something crisp and light to contrast the creaminess—think steamed green beans, a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, or roasted broccoli with garlic. They balance the meal and add fresh textures.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this creamy crockpot chicken and rice in individual ramekins topped with extra cheese and breadcrumbs, then broiled for a couple minutes to get a crispy golden crust—it feels fancy but is still super easy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheating is best done gently to avoid drying out the rice, so I add a splash of broth and warm it slowly on the stove or microwave.

Freezing

I generally avoid freezing this creamy crockpot chicken and rice because the texture changes and tends to get grainy after thawing, especially with the cream-based soups. It’s better enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers on low in a saucepan or microwave, stirring occasionally. Adding a little extra chicken broth keeps it from drying out and helps bring back that luscious creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

You can absolutely swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts, though thighs tend to stay juicier and shred more easily. If using breasts, be mindful not to overcook, as they can become dry.

Do I have to use both cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups?

Using both soups adds layers of flavor and creaminess, but you can substitute with just one or use dairy-free alternatives if preferred. Just keep the total quantity about the same for moisture balance.

What type of rice is best for this recipe?

Long-grain rice works best because it cooks evenly and doesn’t get too sticky, helping maintain a nice texture once mixed with the creamy sauce.

How do I prevent the dish from drying out?

Keep an eye on your crockpot’s liquid levels. If the rice begins to absorb everything too fast, add small amounts of chicken broth during cooking to keep it moist and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Recipe remains one of those true kitchen heroes in my book. It’s the definition of an easy, comforting meal that feels a little indulgent but doesn’t require babysitting the stove. I can’t recommend it enough when you want cozy flavors and straightforward prep that lets you focus on what really matters: enjoying your food and the people you share it with.