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A bubbling crockpot chicken casserole in a slow cooker.

Creamy Weeknight Crockpot Chicken Casserole

This creamy weeknight crockpot chicken casserole is a hearty and convenient meal. With tender chicken, rice, and mixed vegetables in a rich, cheesy sauce, it's perfect for busy evenings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • skillet
  • large bowl
  • slow cooker (crockpot)

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice rinsed
  • 1.5 cups frozen mixed vegetables peas, carrots, corn
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning

Garnish (Optional)

  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning; sear in olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned, if desired.
  • Sauté chopped onion in the same skillet until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for one minute more.

Assembly

  • Whisk together cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and milk in a large bowl until smooth.
  • Pour half of the soup mixture into the slow cooker, then add the seared chicken, sautéed onion and garlic, and mixed vegetables.
  • Sprinkle the rinsed long-grain white rice evenly over the chicken and vegetable mixture.
  • Gently pour the remaining soup mixture over everything, ensuring the rice is mostly submerged; avoid extensive stirring.

Cooking & Finishing

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • During the last 30 minutes, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole and continue cooking until melted and bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley or chives and serving.

Notes

For even richer flavor, consider using full-fat milk and a good quality chicken broth. Adjust seasoning to your preference, especially the salt content, as cream of chicken soup can be quite salty. This casserole is also great for meal prep; simply divide into individual portions after cooling and store in the refrigerator or freezer.