Healthy Chicken and Rice (Printer-Friendly Layout)

A comforting one-pot meal with tender chicken, creamy rice and seasonal vegetables that melts together in your slow cooker.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

03 - 1 medium onion, diced

04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

05 - 1 cup carrots, diced

06 - 1 cup celery, diced

07 - 3 cups chicken broth

08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk (optional)

09 - 1 tsp dried thyme

10 - 1 tsp garlic powder

11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

12 - Salt and pepper to taste

13 - 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

14 - Fresh parsley for garnish

01 - Place chicken thighs or breasts in the slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

02 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, celery, and rinsed rice to the slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth and stir gently to combine.

03 - Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is thoroughly cooked and rice is tender.

04 - Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks, or leave whole according to preference. Return chicken to the mixture.

05 - For a creamier consistency, stir in heavy cream or milk and parmesan cheese during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

06 - Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Pair with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

01 - The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a comforting one-pot meal.

02 - You can substitute brown rice, but you'll need to increase the cooking time by approximately 30 minutes.