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Crockpot Italian Chicken and Rice With Cream Cheese Twist - Cozy, Creamy, and Easy

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional for color and sweetness)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (optional if you like it extra herby)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra savoriness)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  • Prep the base: Drizzle the bottom of the slow cooker with olive oil. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. This creates a flavorful bed for the chicken and rice.
  • Season the chicken: In a bowl, combine Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture over the chicken on all sides.
  • Layer smartly: Place the seasoned chicken on top of the veggies. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth.
  • Cook first, then add rice: Cover and cook on High for 2 hours (or Low for 3–4 hours) to get the chicken started and build flavor. This prevents mushy rice later.
  • Add the rice: Stir in the rinsed rice, making sure it’s submerged in the liquid. Cover and cook for another 45–60 minutes on High (or 1.5–2 hours on Low), until the rice is tender.
  • Shred and finish: Remove the chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks. Return it to the crockpot.
  • Cream cheese twist: Add the cream cheese cubes and Parmesan. Stir gently until the cream cheese melts and the sauce turns silky. If it seems thick, splash in a bit more warm broth.
  • Taste and adjust: Season with extra salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
  • Serve: Spoon into bowls and enjoy warm. It pairs well with a simple salad or roasted green beans.