Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice

If you are from the south, I am sure you religiously grew up eating chicken and rice. It’s so simple and one that adorns every church cookbook. I’m pretty sure it’s not just a southern staple, but one that our whole country can identify with! If not, this Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice that I threw together is my attempt to do just that! I’ve even added a pressure cooker option should you want to use your Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker! Check out the video here!

Fred’s mama makes the most delicious southern version of chicken and yellow rice and it is one of our favorite meals. Knox has grown up eating “Nana’s yellow rice” and it has become the one thing he will eat besides pizza and Goldfish! Her rice is made from scratch, and takes some work over the stove, so when I was working full-time, I decided to take a short cut using Zatarain’s.

Their rice is so flavorful and easy to prepare, making it perfect for someone who doesn’t cook very often, is stretched for time, or just looking for an easy alternative to the typical southern chicken and rice! And this rice is packed with flavor that makes this dish full of seasoning and spices.Just throw a few ingredients into the crockpot or pressure cooker and you have a meal ready in a few short hours! The versions of this come out totally different, but both are delicious and I would love to know which one you like better if you have a pressure cooker!

If you’re cooking this meal in the crockpot you will need to cook the rice in the microwave 30 minutes prior to eating per package directions. I have yet to try cooking it in the crockpot, but I think an experiment is in order! In the Crock-Pot Express on pressure cooker mode, you can add the rice right on in with the other ingredients and it cooks up perfectly, but is a much more creamier consistency. Another reason why I am loving the new Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker!

Feel free to substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken if you are not a mushroom fan! You can even switch back and forth for a change! I do it both ways, and love both equally!

This dish is all about simplicity for an easy weeknight meal, but you can also add in the few extra steps like adding to a casserole dish and topping with buttery crackers. Throw it in the oven under the broiler for just a couple of minutes and you get a beautiful golden brown casserole to confidently serve company.  This is a hearty meal, so it doesn’t need many side items other than a healthy vegetable, like something green to give all the yellow some color!

Steam up some broccoli spears, open up a can of peas or season some green beans and you have an easy, savory and hearty dinner. This is a great cheesy chicken casserole to serve to a family that has just had a baby, is sick or that you are loving on. Next to my Crockpot Lasagna this is my go to dish to serve to those I am delivering a meal to.I hope your family loves this easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice as much as we do! Enjoy!

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Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice in the Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker

Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts or 1 lb. tenderloins
• 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• 1 8 ounce box of Zatarain's Yellow Rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
• buttery crackers crushed for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. SLOW COOKER MODE:
2. Place chicken in crockpot.
3. Pour can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup over chicken.
4. Add sour cream.
5. Add one teaspoon chicken bouillon powder.
6. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.
7. Stir in cheese until melted and serve.
8. Thirty minutes prior to eating, cook the Zatarain's rice according to microwave package directions.
9. If desired, mix rice and chicken mixture together in 9x13 baking dish, top with crushed buttery crackers.
10. Place in oven and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
11. PRESSURE COOKER MODE:
12. Add cooking oil to inner pot.
13. Press Sauté and then Start buttons.
14. Place chicken in pot and cook for approximately 4 minutes per side.
15. Press the Stop button.
16. Remove chicken from pot and shred with two forks.
17. Place chicken back in pot.
18. Add in soup, rice packet, water, sour cream, butter and chicken bouillon.
19. Stir until well combined.
20. Place lid on and into lock position.
21. Make sure valve is set to no venting.
22. Press Rice button and cook for 12 minutes.
23. Let it naturally release for an additional 10 minutes.
24. Turn release valve to let out any additional steam.
25. Add cheese and mix well.
26. Top with buttery crackers in pot, if desired.
27. If serving to guests, place rice and chicken mixture in 9x13 baking dish and top with crushed buttery crackers.
28. Place in oven and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.