Have you ever stepped into a kitchen full of inviting smells? You can expect this feeling from using the oven for cooking chicken and rice. This meal is so simple to cook and is full of mouth watering flavor. This meal provides comfort from within. No luxurious ingredients are needed and you don’t need to master any difficult techniques. All you need is proper nutrition that enhances your life.
Now, before we get into the details, let me just say this: if you haven’t made homemade chicken and rice in your slow cooker, pressure cooker, or stovetop pot yet, you’re missing out. This dish is pure magic. And the best part? It goes with just about anything (more on that later).
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Quick Guide
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Why You’ll Love This Cooker Chicken and Rice
- One-pot magic – Less cleanup, more flavor.
- Comfort food at its best – It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Kid-approved – Even picky eaters go crazy for this.
- Easy on the wallet – Simple ingredients that won’t break the bank.
- Perfect leftovers – Tastes even better the next day.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s not rocket science. All it takes is some simple ingredients to create something wonderfully delightful.
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups rice (jasmine or long-grain works best) For the creaminess, replace heavy cream with butter and add as per taste.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups rice (jasmine and long rice works best)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 lbs chicken (boneless thighs or breasts)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
Optional Add-ins:
- Peas – Add a pop of color and sweetness.
- Cheese – Because, let’s be honest, melted cheese makes everything better.
- Mushrooms – For an earthy twist.
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How to Make Cooker Chicken and Rice
This cooker chicken and rice is flexible—you can use a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or stovetop. Here’s how to nail it no matter what.
Slow Cooker Method
- Sauté the Aromatics – In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Toss in the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for around 5 minutes until softened.
- Dump Everything In – Dump the vegetables into the slow cooker. Pour in the rice, chicken, broth, and spices. Stir properly.
- Cook On LOW For 6-7 Hours Or HIGH For 3-4 Hours – The chicken should be tender and the rice fluffy.
- Shred The Chicken – When it’s done, take out the chicken and use two forks to shred it. Stir it back in. For extra creaminess, add the heavy cream now if using.
Pressure Cooker Method (Instant Pot Love)
- Sauté the aromatics – Melt butter on ‘Sauté’ mode on your Instant Pot. Chop onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, then add them into the pot.
- Add the chicken, rice, broth, and seasonings – Give everything a good mix.
- Pressure cook on HIGH for 10 minutes – Then, let it naturally release for 10 more minutes before opening the lid.
- Shred and stir – Remove the chicken, shred it, then mix it back in. Stir in the heavy cream (if using).
- Serve warm – Top with fresh herbs or cheese if you’re feeling fancy.
Stovetop Method (Old-School Goodness)
- In a big pot, stir fry carrots, garlic, celery, and onions in butter over medium heat.
- Next, add broth, season well, and include chicken and rice.
- Afer that, cover the pot and bring it to a boil, then lower the heat. Simmer for 25-30 mins until the rice is fluffy.
- Finally, before serving, mix shredded cooled chicken back in the pot with heavy cream for an extra creamy taste.
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Can You Cook Raw Chicken And Rice At The Same Time?
Of course you can put raw chicken with rice and cook them together! That is the reason behind recipes like chicken and rice casserole being so simple and appealing. The main challenge is ensuring that everything cooks through from the chicken all the way to the rice without having any of them left uncooked.
Here are a few tips to get it just right:
- Use the right liquid ratio – Rice absorbs liquid, so make sure you have enough broth or water to cook both the chicken and rice properly.
- Choose the right cut of chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts work best because they cook evenly with the rice.
- Don’t overcook – Keep an eye on the cooking time, especially in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, to avoid mushy rice.
- Shred the chicken at the end – Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it, shred it, and mix it back in for the best texture.
So yes, you can absolutely cook raw chicken and rice together, and when done right, it turns into a flavorful, one-pot meal with minimal cleanup!
How to Cook Raw Chicken and Rice in a Rice Cooker
- Rinse the Rice – This helps prevent it from getting too sticky.
- Layer the Ingredients – Add rice, broth (or water), seasonings, and raw chicken (boneless, skinless thighs or breasts work best).
- Set It and Forget It – Use the regular white rice or mixed rice setting, depending on your cooker.
- Check the Chicken – When the rice is done, make sure the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Shred or Slice – Remove the chicken, shred or slice it, then mix it back in.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use chicken thighs – They stay juicier than breasts.
- Add extra liquid – Rice cookers can dry things out, so use a little more broth than usual.
- Toss in veggies – Carrots, peas, or onions cook perfectly with the rice.
- Finish with butter or cheese – A little extra richness makes it even better.
It’s one of the easiest ways to make cooker chicken and rice without extra pots or pans!
How to Cook Chicken and Rice in a Slow Cooker
- Start with the Chicken – Add boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, broth, seasonings, and any veggies first.
- Let It Cook – Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Add the Rice Later – Stir in the rice during the last hour of cooking. This keeps it from getting too soft.
- Check for Doneness – When the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid, shred the chicken and mix it all together.
Tips to Make It Perfect
- Use long-grain rice – Jasmine or basmati holds up better than short-grain rice.
- Brown rice takes longer – If using brown rice, add it earlier since it needs more time to cook.
- More broth = better texture – Rice absorbs a lot of liquid, so don’t be afraid to add extra broth if needed.
- Cheese or cream at the end – If you want a creamy finish, stir in cheese or heavy cream before serving.
Slow cooker chicken and rice is an undoubted one-pot dish—simply set it and forget it!
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Tips for the Best Cooker Chicken and Rice
- Use chicken thighs – They stay juicy and flavorful.
- Rinse the rice – This keeps it from getting too sticky.
- Don’t overcook – Keep an eye on the time, especially with rice.
- Add more broth if needed – If the rice soaks up too much liquid, just splash in some extra broth.
- Cheese it up – A little Parmesan or shredded cheddar takes this to another level.
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What Goes Well With Cooker Chicken and Rice?
This chicken rice recipe alone is a complete meal but trust me, It gets better! Even on the dessert section, I can offer a perfect addition.
For a side, my favorite option is Easy Sourdough Dinner Rolls. They are fluffy, tangy, and do a great job in absorbing any leftover sauce coming from the chicken and rice.
You may be wondering right now about this meal’s best dessert? Without any further deliberation I can say without a doubt, the ubiquitous either keeps chocolate Olympics Muffins very handy for any reason or simply gorges on them. They are irresistibly sweet, deep fried in butter, and extremely satisfying. Believe me, it is impossible to refuse after delicious chicken rice muffins.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
A: Yep! Just keep in mind that brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to adjust the liquid and cooking time.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely. It actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to blend.
Q: What if my rice turns out mushy?
A: Most likely, it soaked up too much broth. Try reducing broth quantities or the cooking time next time.
Q: Can I freeze this?
A: Yes! Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat when you’re ready to eat.
Q: Can I put rice in my slow cooker with chicken?
A: Yes, you can put rice in your slow cooker with chicken, but you need to do it the right way to avoid mushy or undercooked rice.
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Reader Feedback
Lawrence I. “Check out how my slow cooker chicken and rice recipe turned out; I can easily say it was PERFECT! I loved how deeply tender the chicken was and how well the rice absorbed all the flavors. All I did was add a splash of broth towards the end, and I was surprised how well it thickened. Even the picky kids onboarded.”
Jason T.“Cooking raw chicken alongside rice made me skeptical but this recipe changed my perception. The hardest part of the dish was making it into my Instant Pot and it was so easy. What was even better was that the cleanup was almost non existing! This is a dish I will be making again for sure.”
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And there you have it, the most convenient cooker chicken and rice recipe that you will ever come across. It is so easy to prepare, comforting and flavorful. Be it Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop, this dish will never disappoint.
And don’t forget to serve it along with the Easy Sourdough Dinner Rolls to give you the perfect side and finally, the chocolate Olympic Muffins for dessert. I am sure you will thank me later.
Now go get your ingredients and start preparing the dish.