Let’s be real: weeknights are chaos. Between work, school, activities, and just…life, finding the time to get a healthy, delicious meal on the table can feel impossible. That’s where this Chaos Bowl Crockpot Chicken & Rice comes in. It’s the ultimate “dump and go” recipe, requiring minimal effort but delivering maximum flavor. Think tender, juicy chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a vibrant mix of veggies, all simmered together in a savory sauce. It’s comfort food simplified, and it’s about to become your new weeknight hero.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless: Seriously, it’s almost entirely hands-off.
- Flavorful: A simple sauce packs a punch.
- Customizable: Swap out veggies to suit your taste.
- Family-Friendly: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples and affordable ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (15 oz) can mixed vegetables, drained
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped onion
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Sprinkle rice over the chicken.
- In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper.
- Pour sauce over the rice and chicken.
- Stir in mixed vegetables (and onion, if using).
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Fluff with a fork before serving.
Expert Tips
- Don’t rinse the rice if you prefer it stickier. Rinsing removes some starch.
- Chicken thighs stay more tender than breasts in the slow cooker. But breasts can be used, reduce cooking time by 30-60 minutes.
- For extra flavor, brown the chicken thighs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Add a bay leaf during cooking and remove before serving for a subtle depth of flavor.
- Spice it up! Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
Storage
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: Allow to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
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Chaos Bowl Crockpot Chicken & Rice
- Total Time: 4 hrs 40 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Chaos Bowl Crockpot Chicken & Rice is a hearty, dump-and-go slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken, rice, veggies, and simple seasonings all cooked together for an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
1. Spray the inside of a 6-quart crockpot with nonstick spray.
2. Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the crockpot.
3. Add the uncooked rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, onion, garlic, frozen vegetables, and all seasonings. Stir gently to combine, making sure the rice is submerged in liquid.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
5. Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the crockpot. Stir everything together.
6. If using, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover, and let melt for 5 minutes.
7. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or green onions.
Notes
For extra creaminess, stir in ½ cup sour cream before serving.
You can swap the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or cream of celery for different flavors.
Brown rice can be used, but increase broth to 3 cups and cooking time to 6-7 hours on low.
This recipe makes a great meal prep option and reheats well for lunches throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hrs 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg