Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken And Rice (The downside of being a Swan Princess)
I have a firmly held belief that the most important lessons in life are learned in Kindergarten. For this reason (and many others) when my five year old speaks, I listen. Oftentimes she’ll say something that has me stifling a giggle (Katy Rose does not like for folks to laugh at anything she says right now unless she clearly states that it is a joke beforehand), but others she’ll speak something truly profound and in her innocence has no idea that she has just opened her mama’s eyes to wisdom once again.
Yesterday, we were sitting in the living room together. Katy Rose was watching the Swan Princess while I worked on my laptop. The movie came to a part where the “evil guy” (as Katy Rose put it) was trying to keep the Swan Princess prisoner and Katy watched for a few moments before turning to me in absolute frustration.
“You see that, Mama? See that stuff right there? That is why I’ve decided I don’t want to be a princess when I grow up anymore – because you have to deal with that evil stuff.” She huffed and looked back for a moment, clearly disappointed in the downside of her now former dream before adding, “So here is what I’m going to do. If I have kids, I’ll just be a Mama. If I don’t have kids, I’m just going to live with you forever, okay?”
“Okay Katy Rose, that works for me”
Bless her heart, at five years old she just really feels compelled to have her entire life plotted out and realizing there was a downside to royalty threw her for a loop.
Fact is, there is a downside to every dream no matter how big or small it is. Look at people whose lives you dare to envy. Actors and actresses appear to have it all but can you imagine the frustration of not being able to run to the grocery store or go to lunch with a friend without folks stalking you with cameras and such? The hours they spend memorizing lines, being berated by directors for improper delivery, pressure of keeping up appearances. Reading glowing praise about yourself one day and scathing criticism the next. Sure, they may have a lot of money but they have a whole heap more bills than us that go with that. Staff, security, etc. There is a downside to it all and although we may hold them at arm’s length as if they are somehow a different class from us, they are just people beneath it all, same as we are.
I don’t reckon a lot of us think on the downside of our dreams and that is a good thing, because the upside of things is infinitely more inviting anyway. The funny thing that struck me most though, is that out of Katy’s two fallback dreams, both of them revolve around family.
With that in mind, how many of us are living the dream right now? You may look at starring in a movie as the “dream” but I packed two lunches this morning and watched two beautiful little blonde heads bob to the car as they headed off to school.
There may be a big reserved room for someone in a fancy restaurant with patrons dressed in formal attire but tonight I’m going to sit down to dinner with my husband and kids at an old oak dinner table and I doubt a single one of us will even be wearing shoes.
When I lay my head down at some point after the sun sets today I won’t be in a luxury suite, but I will be in our warm house, safely sheltered with a peacefully sleeping family and a big old dog snoring at the foot of my bed.
When I wake up tomorrow, I’ll have a big grin on my face and a song in my heart.
Living the dream, folks. Living the dream.
Now for the food….
You talk, I listen. Well, I listen whenever I can, of course! Folks have been asking for more slow cooker recipes for a multitude of reasons. Who doesn’t like to come home and have supper all cooked and waiting for them? I know I sure do! This is a recipe I modified for the slow cooker and some of you will be happy to know I also removed the entire stick of margarine it called for. Others, like myself, will shrug and go on with things. Because, in the grand scheme of the world, there are more important things to concern myself with than whether or not I’m ingesting a tablespoon of margarine with my chicken and rice ~winks~.
Alright, lets get cooking!
~revs up the engine~
Hello easy!
You’ll need: Yellow Rice*, Cream of Chicken, Whole kernel corn, onion, chicken breasts, and shredded cheddar cheese.
I love Zatarain’s rice, one of my favorite meal helpers. If you want to use the lower fat cream soup that’s fine in this. A lot of folks have been making my Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice with cream of chicken because they don’t care for cream of mushroom and that is great, too! Make it your own and tweak these recipes however they work best for your family.
Place your chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Chop up onion and toss on the top.
Getting ready for my book tour, I made Ricky watch me do this. I kept telling him “Now you can do a slow cooker, its easy to cook supper if you just throw it all in and then finish it up when you get home from work. See how I’m doing this? See how simple this is?” He nods and feigns interest but who are we kidding? It’ll be pizza and happy meals the whole time I’m gone…
Spoon or glob your cream soup over that.
Y’all don’t be fooled by me using name brand soup here. I got it on sale. I’d use Timbuktoo brand if it saved me ten cents.
Now cover this and cook it according to the following:
Low – 7-8 hours
High 3-4 hours.
This is great to put on in the morning on the weekends if you cook it on high and then have a nice meal at lunchtime.
When it is done cooking, drain your corn and toss that in along with your cooked rice and cheddar.
You’ll need to cook your rice before this step. What I like to do is cook my rice the night before and just stick it in the fridge. Then you can dump it in and stir it up and give it a minute or two to get heated. You can also cook your rice soon as you get home, though. It’s still an easy and delicious supper!
Stir all of that up and give it a few minutes to get all heated and warm (this won’t take long)
This stuff is to die for. Prepare for a happy landing in your stomach!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large onion, chopped (I use Vidalia)
- 1 -8 ounce box Zatarain's Yellow Rice Mix, cooked according to directions
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 - 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup (regular or fat free)
- 1 -15 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
Instructions
- Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Scatter chopped onion over top. Spoon cream soup over top of that. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. A few minutes before serving, add in cooked rice, corn, and cheese. Stir to combine. Serve hot.
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Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large onion, chopped (I use Vidalia)
- 1 -8 ounce box Zatarain's Yellow Rice Mix, cooked according to directions
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 - 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup (regular or fat free)
- 1 -15 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
Instructions
- Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Scatter chopped onion over top. Spoon cream soup over top of that. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. A few minutes before serving, add in cooked rice, corn, and cheese. Stir to combine. Serve hot.
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I updated my Tales from the Tour section with the latest goings on. Click here to read that section of Southern Plate if you’d like. I don’t send those updates out to my email subscribers (don’t wanna bog down your inbox) so you might have missed a few posts. Right now we’re just gearing up over there but it will get more lively as I start to travel more!
“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today.
It’s already tomorrow in Australia.”
~giggle~
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SIX days until the official debut and we’re still the #1 Southern Book on Amazon right now thanks to you!
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Sep 29 2010. Filed under Crock Pot, Main Course, Quick&Easy.
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I always worry about putting rice in a slow cooker. I don’t want it to be a big glob of starchy goo after it has cooked all day. Any suggestions?
Rachael, It sounds like she’s adding the corn, cooked rice, and cheese just before serving, so it’s not cooking in the pot all day. Hope this helps!
Will be makin’ this Tues. nite (my Southern Plate menu nite) but will have the corn as a side since Bro thinks adding vegetables to casseroles ‘smothers’ their flavor! ~snickers~ Ah…the things us womenfolk are willing to do to please our menfolk!! But hey, whatever cranks their tractors!
definitely one for today! Its noon and I need to get to the grocery store, this will cook by dinner time and make dinner and a couple lunches for me and son.
Christy,
I see that you use Kroger brand cheese. That is my favorite that I have found in Southwestern PA.
Linda
I made this yesterday but didn’t taste but just a little bite – I try to cook a couple of main dishes on Sunday to have for the week, so there was a lot of tasting going on!
Having it today for lunch and it is yummy! I shared some with my co-worker and now I wish I hadn’t! it reheats well – better today than it was last night.
Thanks for another great recipe.
This is in my slow cooker as we speak. The house smells great, yellow rice is cooked and ready to go in. My oldest son is meeting some friends for supper but has made me promise to save him a plate! I love the fact that all Southern Plate recipes are things that a regular family will eat. No strange or hard to find ingredients!!
[...] week at least. Before I procrastinate, or forget, here is the link to Christy’s recipe… http://www.southernplate.com/2010/09/slow-cooker-cheesy-chicken-and-rice-the-downside-of-being-a-swa… It is so stinkin’ good, people. Good, good, [...]
Made this recipe yesterday for the first time…and love love love it! So easy and inexpensive to make. Heating what is left for leftovers today(which isnt much after my teen son tried it)…and I think its even better today. Thanks for all the great and easy recipes….have tried several and never dissapointed.
Just finished making this and have it on warm while I make corn bread. It is AMAZING! I think I may toss in a can of chopped chilis to heat it up a bit. YUMMY!
I decided to make this for tonight because it looks wonderful. I went to the grocery store and looked and looked for the Zatarain’s Yellow Rice Mix and there is no such animal at my store. I finally decided to buy the plain Zatarain’s Yellow Rice and when I got back to my computer I saw in the picture that it is indeed the yellow rice and NOT a mix so I wanted to pass that on to you all. I can’t wait to try this for supper. Another night I may leave out the corn and add broccoli for a change. have a great day!
Wait, what’s the difference between Zatarain’s Yellow Rice Mix and Zatarain’s Yellow Rice? Isn’t anything that you have to add other ingredients to and cook a mix?
Also we love this with broccoli and usually add broccoli instead of the chicken!
I have been craving this and just put it in my slow cooker for dinner tonight, I am so excited.. this is an amazingly easy, amazingly tasty meal! Add some from scratch biscuits and we are set!
Christy, I made this for my mom while visiting home for Sunday supper and we both loved it. Of course, every recipe of yours I have made turned out great. This dish is no exception. It was wonderful.
I am so glad that you liked it! Hope you had a wonderful visit home!!
Did you shred the chicken or cut it up into smaller pieces at some point? I know you started with whole chicken breasts, but in the picture it looks like bite sized pieces.
I have this cooking in the crock pot right now! My in-laws are coming over for dinner tonight. I’m sure it will be a hit. And the best part is that I don’t have to cook over a hot stove and heat up the house. Love my crock pot!!! I’m serving it with fresh green beans.
I added 1 tsp of curry powder and 1 Tb of lemon juice to mine to kick it up a notch, it was fabulous!
This sounds amazing. Will be making it soon! Thanks! (from another AL mom)
I hope you enjoy it Krista!!
This sounds yummy! Do you think white rice would be just as tasy instead of the yellow?
found this via Pinterest. I thought I’d get at least 3 meals out of it but my family LOVES it!! Hubby said not to put it away yet, to leave it on warm in the crock pot, he wants to eat more before bed.
http://pinterest.com/nurselissa/
I am so glad you found it and liked it Melissa!! Welcome to Southern Plate!!
Just made this tonight for hubby and kiddos….and there was actual plate-licking, no kidding!! Yummo!!! And sooo easy!
~giggles~ Now that signifies a good recipe!! I am so glad to hear everyone liked it!!
i am making my dreams come true by going from a 15 year old mother to working with my family to start a restaurant and being named #2 in myrtle beach for the desserts that i make for the restaurant by trip advisor. i get to make different desserts whenever i want to. we have never had a set menu. as odd as that may sound that is what we are known for. people come in everyday looking to see what we have new and different. God has blessed me even when i did nothing to deserve it. i am truly thankful everyday.
Abigail,
I am from Myrtle Beach, but now live in Columbia. My mom still lives in Myrtle Beach. I went to elementary, middle and high school there. What is your family’s restaurant?
Do you have to use the Yellow Rice? I have everything already in my stockpile except instead of Yellow Rice, I have Rice Pilaf. I was thinking of putting it in the crockpot in the morning and don’t want to make a special trip just for 1 box of rice.
Thanks!
The yellow rice mix has a good bit of seasonings in it which really adds to the flavor. However, if your rice pilaf mix has seasonings you like it will work great!
I think like most of you, I use the slow cooker to clear out some ‘going out of date’ items in the kitchen. That said, I used a carton of fresh chopped stew veggies (onions, carrots, celery) instead of just an onion. Also, I have a slight issue of being able to ‘set it and forget it’. An hour or so in, some of my veggies were looking rather shriveled and aged so I added half a beer to try to keep things plump. Turned out great! I was able to get some veggies in the kid (she liked her’s with some sprinkle cheese-parmesean); the dude went back for seconds. I like your style, Christy. You are now marked as a fave!!! Keep ‘em coming.
[...] – I made this crock pot chicken and rice. It was SO easy and SO good. I really liked it. I omitted the onion and [...]
Shut. The. Front. Door!
This was spectacular! I used half breast and half thighs. My 22 month old loved it!
Tracey has tempted me to put some beer in there! =) Great idea!
Thanks!
So glad you liked it!!!
Very very good! Instead of corn (didn’t have any) I used broccoli! Delicious!
Found this on Pinterest. We liked it!
I am so glad you found it Rebecca! Welcome to SouthernPlate!!
Just stumbled upon your site while looking for chicken/rice slow cooker recipe! Making up a big heaping batch of this for the Bama/LSU game tomorrow night! Roll Tide, Roll!
How many does this recipe serve?
I just made this recipe for my husband and I tonight and it was AMAZING! I made a couple alterations, I used 3 chicken breasts instead of 4, used white rice instead of Zataran’s, and omitted the onions. My husband suggested getting some gravy and pouring it over top after it’s served for a little extra flavor =)
[...] Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice from Southern Plate. I have made this many times, it’s a favorite in my house!! [...]
I’m a novice cook and made this for dinner tonight. It was so easy to prepare and was a HUGE hit with my husband (and me!) — he’s already asking when I’m making it again! Thanks for sharing!
Yummy Becca! I am so glad it turned out great for you, it is a really easy and delicious dish.
[...] Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken And Rice [...]
[...] hopes of mastering these elusively easy meals it taunts me with. I found this recipe on pintrest: Cheesy Chicken and Rice. It offered that skinny comfort food I was looking for this week, with the promise of not only [...]
Found on pinterest and tried it last night. Tasted wonderful definitely a recipe that we will be adding to our list. Thank you
I love all your recipes..I have many recipes passed down to me from my granny and mama..but always on the lookout for new things..I tend to be an old fashioned kind of cook..so your recipes are right up my alley..I have made four of your recipes in the last two weeks..my family has been sayn mama what are you fixin tonight..supper just gets better and better…I love it!..and love what you are about…you remind me of myself and of my sweet aunts and cousins..you would fit right in with us….love your stories!
To anyone who’s made this…do you cover with a little bit of water before leaving it in the crocpot all day? Or does the cream of chicken soup melt enough to prevent the chicken from drying out?
Can’t wait to make this!
I’ve never used water. The soup works just great and combined with the Chicken makes plenty of liquid
I have this in the crockpot right now. I have the corn and yellow rice cooked and chillin out in the fridge till I’m ready to add them and the cheese. Can’t wait!
GREAT recipe! Thank you so much! The ease and simplicity combined with the great flavors make this a def go to for me! Into the rotation you go!
[...] and hair primping in favor of watching The Soup. And I guarantee I’ll eat a fat bowl of this stuff in front of the tube [...]
I found this via Pinterest and it was a HIT the first time I made it! My daughter saw it on the menu for tomorrow and was so excited to have it again!
Do you happen to have the nutrional information on it?
I am so glad to hear that you and your family liked it Kimberly!! Unfortunately I don’t have the nutritional information. I have never figured it up on any of my recipes.
Thank you for your reply.
We enjoyed this again tonight! 
this is what is for dinner tonight! only i am gonna use cream of onion soup since it is what i’ve got on hand, broccoli instead of corn (fresh from the garden!), and whatever cheese i have leftover. pre-finding this blog i had some knorr’s rice sides (broccoli and cheese) so that will be the rice going into it, jut because i want to get rid of it…
been doing a little bit extra lately in terms of cooking, rather than using up sides like those. :p
Yummy, sounds delicious Sara!!
I liked how tender the chicken was, but I thought the flavor was kind of bland. I will be making this again simply because it was so easy and everyone ate it. I do like sara’s suggestion of using different rices or soups. But I don’t like to stray from the recipe the first time I make it, so maybe next time. A great base recipe that I can experiment with, thanks.
This is our dinner tonight. Had my mother in law (lives with me and cannot cook for anything) assemble chicken and soup (father in law doesn’t eat onions-will add onion powder later) in the CP. Normally I assemble CP meals the night before so all she has to do is turn it on but knew she could handle ease of this. I’ll make rice when I get home and finish up. Love meals that are this simple and affordable. Doubling to feed large family (and using family size box rice) and have lunch since we are SUPER broke this week
Do you not have to add water to the chicken? It seems like it would dry out.
We are having this tonight. My 1 yr old and I have already tried it and it is yummy. DH and DS will try it later. I, too, was confused about the yellow rice mix. It was no where to be found at my store, so I got Zatarins garden vegetable rice mix and it worked just fine.
Making this right now. Hope it tastes as good as it looks!
I’m still in the process of making this yummy looking dish (waiting on rice to finish) but, it hasn’t been 7 or 8 hours yet and the cream of chicken is burning on the sides of the crockpot. And yes, the crock pot was on low. Is this normal? Has this happened to anyone? If yes, what did you do differently the next time? Thanks!
Had anyone done it with frozen chicken breast?
I have. Works great! Allow an hour or so cook time but if you cook it all day it’ll be fine!