Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice (Cheap, Easy, & Family Friendly)
Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice is an easy crockpot dinner made with simple ingredients, tender chicken, and hearty rice — perfect for busy weeknights.
If you’re looking for a healthy slow cooker meal that’s filling, affordable, and easy, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is one of the best recipes to have on hand.
It uses simple pantry ingredients, requires very little
prep, and makes enough for leftovers — perfect for busy families or anyone trying to eat healthier while saving money.The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with tender chicken, flavorful rice, and vegetables in a creamy, comforting dish without heavy ingredients.
There’s something comforting about a warm bowl of slow cooker chicken and rice. It’s one of those classic meals that’s simple, filling, and budget-friendly — perfect for busy days when you want dinner ready without standing in the kitchen for hours.
If you enjoy easy slow cooker meals like this one, you might also love my Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe, which has quickly become a reader favorite for its rich flavor and simple ingredients. Be sure to check it out here:
👉 Creamy Garlic Chicken – Easy Comfort Food Recipe
This recipe is perfect with the same set-and-forget cooking method that makes this chicken and rice recipe so popular.
Helpful Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
Using the right kitchen tools can make slow cooking even easier and more consistent.
⭐ Crock-Pot 7 Quart Slow Cooker
A reliable slow cooker is the heart of this recipe. A large Crock-Pot slow cooker gives you enough room to cook family-sized meals with minimal effort.
⭐ Digital Meat Thermometer
Chicken should always reach the proper internal temperature. A digital meat thermometer helps ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat every time.
Ingredients
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2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
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1 cup brown rice (more fiber than white rice)
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3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
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1 cup carrots, sliced
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1 cup celery, chopped
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1 small onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 cup frozen peas
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½ cup plain Greek yogurt (added at the end for creaminess)
Instructions
1. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add:
-
rice
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carrots
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celery
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onion
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garlic
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seasonings
Pour the chicken broth over everything.
2. Cook
Cook on:
LOW for 6–7 hours
or
HIGH for 3–4 hours
The chicken will become very tender and easy to shred.
3. Shred the Chicken
Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
4. Add Final Ingredients
Stir in:
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frozen peas
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Greek yogurt
Cook another 10–15 minutes until heated through.
Why This Meal Is Healthy
✔ Lean protein from chicken
✔ Fiber from brown rice and vegetables
✔ Lower fat than creamy casseroles
✔ No processed sauces or heavy cream
The Greek yogurt gives the dish a creamy texture without extra calories.
Ways to Save Even More Money
Buy chicken in bulk and freeze portions.
Use frozen vegetables when they’re cheaper than fresh.
Swap brown rice for white rice if that’s what you already have.
This recipe typically costs under $10 total and feeds 4–6 people, making it a great budget meal for the week.
Optional Add-Ins
If you want to change it up, try adding:
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spinach
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mushrooms
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bell peppers
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a squeeze of lemon
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fresh parsley
Meal Prep Tip
This recipe stores very well.
Refrigerator: up to 4 days
Freezer: up to 3 months
It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for healthy lunches throughout the week
Be sure to check out our
👉 Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
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