Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Recipe
One of the most-used tools in my kitchen is the slow cooker. It’s the great cooking equalizer — even if you have no experience cooking, slow cooker chicken recipes allow you to just dump all the ingredients, let the pot do its magic and have a delicious meal ready several hours later. One of my favorite go-to recipes is this slow cooker chicken and rice.
A Healthier Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice is super simple to make. This slow cooker recipe is pretty basic, so it’s great for picky eaters, but it’s also super flavorful and healthy. I always make chicken and rice with brown rice. White rice is a refined carbohydrate, which has no nutritional value. These types of carbs enter the bloodstream like sugar, triggering the release of insulin. What happens next is that your body converts the sugar into stored fat rather than energy.
Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate, so it resists immediate breakdown. Instead, the body breaks it down and converts the food into sugar over time. The two don’t taste significantly different, either, but brown rice is 1,000 times better for you.
Along with the chicken and rice, you’ll use chicken bone broth instead of plain old water. The bone broth is one of the best things you can consume for leaky gut, digestion issues and boosting the immune system, and it works perfectly in this crockpot chicken and rice.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
If you’re ready to make this fool-proof chicken and rice, let’s get started.
Start by dicing both the onions and chicken.
I used boneless, skinless chicken breast here, but you could easily swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead.
Next, add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker.
Yes, that includes the cheese! This goat milk cheese will add a little extra flavor to this dish.
Finally, step away from the slow cooker. Go to the gym, get some work done, go shopping. When you return to the crockpot in 8 hours, dinner will be ready and waiting!
Total Time
Prep: 10 minutes; Total: 8 hours 10 minutes
Serves
6–8
Meal Type
Diet Type
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 cups sprouted brown rice
- ½ tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- ½–1 cup shredded goat cheese
- 4½–5 cups chicken bone broth
Directions:
- Add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.
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Do I have to use sprouted rice?
No, you can use brown rice or white rice, too.
May I please ask why you would add feta cheese to the chicken congee?
Are you supposed to cook the rice before adding it to the crockpot? Looks delicious😊
Normally you would soak brown rice like any other rice to make it more digestible and therefore will cook faster.. Sprouted brown rice will cook faster.
Do you sell essential oils and if not are there any companies that you can recommend?
Where do you get the goat cheese. And is there a better bone broth than the plain. I’ve got issues with the gut want to use bone broth, but the plain is nasty. I tried turmeric and ginger in 12 oz of water. Help
Love the chicken/rice recipe but how do you fix sprouted brown rice?
Soaking overnight?
Thank you!
Lynn Marlow
Sprouted brown rice is rice that’s already been soaked and let to sprout which makes it even more digestible and it’ll cook faster. So use as is.
I would love to register for your seminar but your website is not accepting my emsil address
..keeps telling me its an invalid address
Check if the system is automatically adding a space at the end after com.
My daughter has celiac disease (8 yr history), probably Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, obesity, leaky gut, and now SIBO and a high stress job. How are you diagnosing and treating SIBO in your patients and then preventing it’s recurrence?
where can you buy sprouted brown rice, or am I to sprout it myself?
Could I sub basmati rice for the brown?
Only if it’s brown basmati.
Can you cook on high for 4 hours? I don’t have 8 hours today. 🙂
Hi dr. Axe
Do you have any advice how to treat cherry angiomas, and bumps under skin?
Is there a dairy free substitute for the goat cheese that you think would be good? Ideally dairy and tree nut free substitution wound be great! Thanks
OK this recipe looks delish! I can hardly wait to try it – thank you! : )
So what is the nutritional value on this? My hubby is on a low sodium/heart healthy diet. Was wondering specifically the sodium and potassium count per serving.
thanks
Any good substitutes for goat cheese? My husband doesn’t like the flavor.
I also don’t like the flavor of goat cheese. I would think that ricotta cheese or maybe even mascarpone could be used as substitutes for the goat cheese. I would lean moreso, towards ri’otta, but either one might be fine. Enjoy!
Is this uncooked rice? It looks cooked in the picture.
You would put uncooked rice into the slow cooker in order to make the fish. Enjoy!
I tried this chicken casserole and was very disappointed. It may be healthy but lacks in taste. It was very soggy and I ended up throwing most of it away.
This recipe sounds great, however I can not eat dairy. Can it be made without it, or will that sacrifice too much flavor? Can you suggest a substitute to add some flavor?
Where do I find chicken bone broth?
Krogers sells organic chicken bone broth
Is there anything I can
Take my left kidney is shrinking atrophy there is no blockage
Is the rice cooked you add or raw?
You would add raw rice to the slow cooker. It will become cooked.
Bon appetit! 🙂
Is your crockpot chicken and rice diabetic friendly?
My rice was still hard :( I followed all the directions
I couldn’t find sprouted rice and just used brown rice. I liked the taste of the dish, but it was mushy with crunchy bits. The rice somehow turned out both mushy and crunchy.
Lundberg makes sprouted brown rice in several flavors. It’s pretty pricey but you can buy it in larger quantities from azurestandard.com.
Can you just use white rice
Can I use white rice?
Do you have any recipes that are good for an insulin dependent diabetic?
Is the recipe really supposed to have 1 tablespoon of pepper? I made the recipe, but the pepper was so overpowering that I ended up putting it in a colander and rinsing off most of the pepper. I then added back more goat cheese and broth………and it turned out great! We loved it and I plan to serve it at my ladies Bible study tomorrow. But I’ll only use 1 teaspoon of pepper. Maybe I’m just a pepper wimp. :)
Hi Gail, I am so sorry for the inconvenience. It is ½ tablespoon. I’m happy to hear you were able to make it work and hope you enjoy it even more the second time!
Hello DR Axe. I was wondering if I should put the slow cooker on high or low setting when making this dish. Thank you for your wonderful Enzymes supplements, I’m currently dealing with Gastritis.
Hello! What size crockpot did you use for your posted recipe? I’ve got a 3 qt & a 6 qt. Wondering which size would work best. Thanks.
Hi Tina, I used a 6-quart crockpot. I would recommend choosing that size as well.
My 17 year old son is suffering from a rare skin condition called PLEVA. It began on his stomach in the fall and his Dr. originally diagnosed him with scabies. Unfortunately, it began to spread to his back and neck, arms, legs and feet. It is quite itchy and painful and he has began a steroid and we are hopeful it will help clear him. Is there any oils or anything that may help his sore, dry and at times unbearably itchy skin? Thank you so much for any advice! Sincerely, Kristin
Hi Kristin, I am so sorry to hear that you and your son are going through this. I recommend consulting with a healthcare provider who can better understand your son’s condition and medical history.
You may also find this article helpful even though it’s written about scabies: https://draxe.com/health/scabies/. I hope this helps. Blessings to you and yours!
Great recipe. Would love to repost on my blog with permission?
Hi Elissa, I would love for you to share my recipe — as long as credit and a link back to the original post is provided. Blessings!
Wow! I Made this yesterday, came out sooo good! I’m making it again now. My kids loved it also and I have very picky eaters! Love the recipes Dr. axe!
i want mind improove foods
Here is an article about brain foods: https://draxe.com/nutrition/15-brain-foods-to-boost-focus-and-memory/. I hope this helps!
This recipe sounds great and I would love to try it but my son with Autism is on a GF/CF diet. We eat a lot of rice in our family, even rice pasta. What can I substitute for the goat cheese? He loves cheese & loves the cheese substitute we use, but I’m not sure it would work in this recipe. We use Daiya brand. I used bone marrow broth in the last vegetable soup recipe I made & we thought it was the best soup ever…very flavorful!
Love hearing your responses…we are very Blessed!
Hi Vicki, to get the cheese flavor, you can try to use nutritional yeast. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Hi can I substitute goat cheese milk for just regular crumbled goat cheese and I don’t have sprouted brown rice but I have organic brown rice can I use that? Thanks
Hi Debbie, you can use organic brown rice instead of sprouted. As for the goat cheese, I recommend using regular crumbled or shredded goat cheese. Using goat milk would make the recipe very runny. I hope this helps!
What is sprouted brown rice?
You can find my sprouting guide here: https://draxe.com/nutrition/sprout/. It will explain exactly what sprouted grains are!
I tried this recipe today, looked good, followed ingredients other than 2 breast halves only. Is utter crap, after 6.5 hours on low. Inedible, so unappetizing. Mushy, yucky slop. My Biggest disappointment, other than waste of money, is wasting 5 cups of my awesome homemade bone broth on it. It’s all going bye bye, blech.
Hi Kim, I am so sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy this recipe. It is a basic recipe. Maybe try adding some of your favorite spices to add flavor. I hope you find other recipes on the site that you enjoy.
how do you sprout brown rice yourself? O is too much trouble and better to buy it already sprouted?
I’d like to know this also. I’m new to soaking and sprouting, but would like to learn since it is so much better for you.
You can either buy the brown rice already sprouted or sprout it yourself. You can find directions on how to do it yourself here: https://draxe.com/nutrition/sprout/. I hope this helps!
Dr. Axe,
I bought a bag of sprouted rice at Trader Joe’s (brown, red and black).
It didn’t look any different than the brown rice I usually buy except it’s 5 times the price.
I looked at your website on sprouting, and wonder how they package a dry product after sprouting since that requires soaking (with moisture)? If it is supposed to split and a sprout should be popping out, how is that done and then packaged without it looking different or getting moldy? Sorry for my ignorance, just trying to learn some more healthy techniques, and wondering what I am missing.
Hi Sandy, the rice will not split, and the grains are dried before being stored. It shouldn’t look any different than the standard brown rice your buy. No need to apologize for the questions! I hope this helped.
I’d love to try this recipe.
Is goat cheese allowed on any of the 5 leaky gut protocols? Is it considered dairy? I fit into all 5, and I’m really trying to avoid offending foods. I’m almost through reading the book “Eat Dirt”.
Hi Sandy, goat cheese, sheep cheese and raw cheeses are allowed on the leaky gut protocols. Enjoy!
Thank you. I was looking at goat cheese in the store while waiting for an answer, and noticed that one said cultured, and one said pasteurized. What should I be looking for when shopping for goat products? (or what to avoid)
I would recommend choosing cultured — and not pasteurized. You can read my article on pasteurization here: https://draxe.com/pasteurization-homogenization-raw-milk/.
What is chicken “bone” broth and where can I get it?
Hi Adie, you can read about bone broth here: https://draxe.com/nutrition/bone-broth-benefits/.
I have a recipe for chicken bone broth on my site here: https://draxe.com/recipes/chicken-bone-broth-recipe/. You can also find it at your local health food store. I hope this helps!
I’m intolerant to rice. Any alternatives
Try cauliflower rice.. Take a head cauliflower put through food processor. Works great for rice substitutes.
Hi Nathalie, I recommend cauliflower rice as Linda suggested above.
You can also try quinoa, only that quinoa it gets cooked faster so you may need to cook it separately using also the chicken bone broth as well. 😋. I hope it works.
A colon biopsy came back as “self limiting colitis.” Diarrhea started suddenly and violently as though i had eatten something bad. That was 5 yrs ago. I have tried everything eastern and western. Bone broth helps inflammation but not the 24 hr liquid bowel problem. Help!
Melissa, I am sorry to hear that you are going through this. Here is an article I think may help: https://draxe.com/health/ibs-diet-food-cures/. Blessings to you on this health journey.
Please could you advise on a brand of crock pot to buy. Most seem to have an aluminum insert, which obviously isn’t a good idea. I have also read online the ceramic inserts often leak lead into the cooking over a long cooking time. I can’t find any stainless steel versions.
What do you use??
Many thanks
Hi Laura, I recommend using a glass crock pot. I hope this helps!
I have what is called “fever of unknown origin. I have been seen and tested by rheumatologist, infectious disease Dr. and neurologist as well as my own Dr. who is also my pulmonologist. Is there anything I can do to help this as well as my immune system, The fevers come and go randomly which then seems to lower my immune system and then I get sick, At 56 this cycle is exhausting and frustrating and has been going on since last summer.
Hi Jaimi, I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. Here are two articles I think may help you on your health journey:
https://draxe.com/health/how-to-boost-your-immune-system/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/antiviral-herbs/
Blessings,
Dr. Josh Axe
Jaimi
Did you spike a high fever? Do you have a rash on your torso? Do you have joint pain that travels from joint to joint? You may have Stills Disease. My daughter has it.
Jon, Byron Bay Organic Bone Broth is available in chicken and beef from most good health food stores in Aus.
Ann
Hi. Why can’t I buy the bone broth outside of the USA – like in Australia? Is it more than extra shipping costs?????????
Jon you can buy it at Emporia Organica in Crow’s Nest Sydney or simply just make it yourself. You can make it easily in a slow cooker.
It is so easy to make ans freeze, internet is full of recipies and easy instructions, so much nicer and healthier.
Sue.
Hi Jon, we currently cannot ship outside of the United States. I apologize for the inconvenience!
Dear Dr Axe, I am trying to find a glass crock pot. Do you use a glass one? I have been through three which have got scratches in then on stick coating. If you do know of a link that would be great?
I would recommend using a glass crock pot. I’m sorry to hear you haven’t had much luck finding the one that works best for you. I don’t have a brand recommendation, so I can only suggest that you keep searching and read reviews online. There is plenty of great information out there on glass crock pots. Blessings!
A tablespoon of salt?? Really??
Use “Pink” salt, as it is extremely healthy & has 84 minerals. Pink salt does not affect blood pressure. Only salt that I will buy. Best price I’ve found yet is Sprouts (Market)… $2.99 per lb in the bulk section.
I use pink himalayan salt. They sell it at Walmart
Thank you for pointing that out. It should be a half a tablespoon.
Any nutritional, herbal or other natural helpful recommendations regarding a “porcelain gallbladder”?
Hi Mari, here is an article I think you may find helpful: https://draxe.com/health/gallbladder-diet-natural-treatment/. Blessings!
My daughter has recently been diagnosed with SIBO and fructose intolerance which diet is best for her gut?
Very low carbohydrate helps my Sibo. This helps starve the bad bugs. Probiotics for the good guys.
Hi Lisa, I am so sorry you and your daughter are going through this. Here is an article I think you may find helpful: https://draxe.com/health/sibo-symptoms/. Blessings to you and yours!
You didn’t give instructions on how to sprout brown rice, and why.
Sprout rice or anything spouted is so much healthier for you than simple beans, rice etc.
Look for a brand called Truroots sprouted brown rice
Hi Barb, you can simply buy sprouted brown rice from your local health food store or online. You can read this article here on why I recommend sprouted grains: https://draxe.com/nutrition/sprouted-grain-bread/.
I also would like to know what I can substitute for goat cheese?!
Any raw or grass-fed cheese!
Is that 4 full chicken breast or… two full, 4 halves?
That is a lot of meat. For me a full chicken breast is one chicken breast.. I would only use 4 halves for this recipe.
Four halves is what was intended, but feel free to use as much chicken as you would like.
Great great site. Wonderful ideas, to learn to live better. Thank you Dr. Axe
Thank you, Adi! Blessings to you and yours.
Is there something I could use to substitute shredded goat cheese?
Any cheese can replace the goat cheese, but I suggest using an equally strong flavor like sharp cheddar, Munster, Manchego, pepper jack, gruyere, Swiss, etc.
You can substitute the shredded goat cheese for any raw or grass-fed cheese.
I have two recently diagnosed lactose – free kids at my house. Will goat cheese bother them?
Hi Sue, raw goat cheese may be okay, but I recommend consulting with the kids’ healthcare provider before giving them any cheese.
Where would I purchase sprouted brown rice?
Lisa, if you have a co-op or a health food store near you, check there.
Trader Joes has sprouted organic rice, only rice I purchase.
p.s. I just throught together a version of this myself, yesterday before I saw this.
Except I also added small cubed celery root (tastes like potatores, but little to no starch)..
When you say chicken bone broth,,,,do you mean from scratch?
You can purchase the chicken bone broth or make it yourself! Here is a recipe you may find helpful: https://draxe.com/recipes/chicken-bone-broth-recipe/.
Stop & Shop(organic section)Whole Foods
Health food store. Amazon
Stop & Shop, Whole Foods
You can find sprouted brown rice at your local health food store or online.
Lisa, I have purchased at Trader Joe’s many times!
Hi Lisa,
You can purchase on Vitacost.com.
Dr. Axe uses germinated brown rice from TruRoots.
My boyfriend is suffering from something called colitis. What should he be eating or taken to relieve him from the discomfort.
Here is an article on ulcerative colitis that I think you may find helpful: https://draxe.com/health/ulcerative-colitis-diet/. Best of luck to you and your boyfriend during his health journey.
The suggestions here for colitis are very informative. My son, 24, has a hiatus hernia. He has had dreadful reflux and other symptoms for a few years. The hospital have given him reflux tablets but these have nasty side effects. No other treatment or follow up has been given. What foods should he be avoiding and what supplements should he be taking. We live in the U.K. I’d be so grateful for a reply.
Hi Ali, I am so sorry to hear that your son has been going through this. I think you may find this article helpful: https://www.google.com/amp/s/draxe.com/hiatal-hernia/amp/. Blessings to you and yours!
Years ago I had it and the Dr. told me—-Welches frozen grape juice–the purple not the white. It was very soothing