Hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken And Rice Recipe

Hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken And Rice Recipe

Sink your teeth into slow cooker chicken and rice, a culinary symphony that transforms mundane ingredients into a soul-warming masterpiece.

Imagine a dish that whispers comfort with every bite, blending tender chicken and fluffy rice in a magical medley of flavors.

Effortless cooking meets gourmet satisfaction as this one-pot wonder simmers away, filling your kitchen with tantalizing aromas.

Minimal ingredients dance together, creating a meal that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly evening.

No fancy techniques required – just pure, simple deliciousness that comes together while you go about your day.

This recipe turns ordinary weeknight dinners into extraordinary culinary experiences with zero stress and maximum flavor.Wow your taste buds with this irresistible comfort food classic!

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Chicken and Rice Crockpot Ingredients List

For Protein Base:
  • Chicken Chunks: Select fresh, boneless pieces for consistent cooking and tender texture.
For Seasoning Blend:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Five-Spice Powder: Choose high-quality spices with robust, fragrant profiles for deep flavor layers.
For Liquid Foundation:
  • Chicken Stock, Soy Sauce: Opt for low-sodium versions to control overall saltiness.
  • Ginger: Select firm, smooth-skinned root with no soft spots for maximum zesty punch.
  • Sriracha: Pick authentic Thai-style sauce for genuine heat and complexity.
  • Garlic: Choose plump, firm cloves without green sprouts for pure, sharp taste.
For Thickening Agent:
  • Cornstarch: Ensure fresh, clump-free powder for smooth sauce consistency.
  • Sesame Oil: Select toasted variety for rich, nutty undertones.
For Vegetable Mix:
  • Broccoli Florets, Red Bell Pepper: Pick vibrant, crisp vegetables with bright colors and firm texture.
For Garnish:
  • Scallions, Sesame Seeds: Choose fresh, green-tipped scallions and golden-brown sesame seeds for visual and flavor appeal.
For Serving Base:
  • Rice: Select long-grain white or brown rice for perfect accompaniment.

Tools You’ll Want for Chicken and Rice

  • Slow Cooker: Perfect for tender, hands-off cooking and infusing deep flavors.
  • Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whisking together sauce ingredients and creating smooth blends.
  • Small Bowl: Great for mixing cornstarch slurry and preparing additional seasonings.
  • Whisk: Essential for combining liquid ingredients smoothly and preventing lumps.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices like five-spice powder and salt.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Used for mincing garlic, ginger, and slicing scallions and bell peppers.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for stirring ingredients in the slow cooker.

Making Chicken and Rice the Easy Way

Making Chicken and Rice the Easy Way

Spice Up Your Slow Cooker Chicken

  • Season the Star Performer

Massage chicken pieces with a zesty blend of salt, black pepper, and five-spice powder. Drop the seasoned chicken into your trusty slow cooker, letting the flavors mingle and dance.

  • Build a Flavor-Packed Liquid Base

Whip up a magical marinade by combining chicken stock, soy sauce, zingy ginger, fiery sriracha, and aromatic garlic. Pour this flavor bomb directly over the chicken, creating a mouth-watering bath that’ll make your taste buds sing.

  • Slow Cook to Tender Perfection

Lock in the lid and let your slow cooker work its magic. Cook on high heat for about 3.5 hours until the chicken becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and completely cooked through.

  • Transform the Sauce and Welcome Vegetables

Create a silky cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, then stir in some toasted sesame oil for an extra layer of depth. Toss in vibrant broccoli florets and a pop of color from red bell peppers. Let everything simmer and meld together for another 30 minutes until the vegetables are perfectly crisp-tender.

  • Serve Up a Culinary Masterpiece

Do a quick taste test and adjust seasonings if needed. Spread a bed of warm rice on your plate, crown it with the succulent chicken and colorful vegetables. Sprinkle with fresh scallions and a shower of sesame seeds for that final touch of restaurant-worthy presentation.

Tips to Make It Creamy, Fluffy, or Spicy

Make this recipe uniquely yours with these tasty tips!

Adjust Sriracha amount to match your heat tolerance. Drop to 1 teaspoon for mild flavor or increase to 2 tablespoons for fiery excitement.

Replace chicken with tofu, beef, or shrimp for a delightful protein variation. Each option brings a fresh twist to the classic slow cooker experience.

Experiment with seasonal vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or baby spinach. Chop and add vegetables that complement your taste preferences and nutritional goals.

Prepare chicken mixture the night before and store in refrigerator. In the morning, simply transfer to slow cooker and start cooking for stress-free meal preparation.

How to Serve Chicken and Rice Without Fuss

  • Serve with Steamed Rice Perfection: Ladle the tender chicken and vibrant vegetables over fluffy, warm jasmine or basmati rice for a complete and satisfying meal that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
  • Garnish with Fresh Crunch: Sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top to add a pop of color, texture, and nutty flavor that elevates the entire dish's presentation and taste.
  • Create a Balanced Plate: Pair this hearty chicken with a light side of quick-pickled cucumber or a crisp Asian-inspired slaw to balance the rich, savory flavors and add a refreshing contrast to the meal.
  • Customize Your Heat Level: Keep extra sriracha or chili oil on the side, allowing everyone to adjust the spiciness to their personal preference and create their perfect dining experience.

Storage Tips to Keep It Just as Good Later

  • Meal Planning & Storage Advice
  • Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare double the recipe and store extra portions for quick weeknight meals that save time and reduce cooking stress.
  • Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover chicken and vegetable mixture in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation and food safety.
  • Freezer-Friendly Feast: Portion out cooled chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers, where it will maintain quality for 2-3 months when properly sealed and labeled.
  • Smart Reheating Strategy: Warm refrigerated or thawed portions gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken stock to restore moisture and prevent drying out, bringing back the dish's original delicious texture.
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Hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken And Rice Recipe

Hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken And Rice Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman slow cooker chicken and rice delivers comfort with minimal effort. Tender chicken and creamy rice blend perfectly for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, cut into chunks)
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 red bell pepper (coarsely chopped)
  • 4 garlic cloves (chopped)
  • 2 tbsps fresh ginger (chopped)
  • 2 cups chicken stock (low-sodium)
  • ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
  • 4 scallions (sliced, for garnish)
  • 1 tsp five-spice powder
  • 1 tbsp sriracha
  • 2 tsps cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (toasted)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Cooked rice (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Seasoning: Generously coat chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and five-spice powder, then transfer directly into the slow cooker.
  2. Sauce Creation: Whisk chicken stock, soy sauce, ginger, sriracha, and garlic into a seamless, flavor-packed liquid, ensuring complete integration of ingredients.
  3. Cooking Foundation: Pour sauce over chicken, guaranteeing thorough coverage, then seal the slow cooker and set to high temperature for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
  4. Thickening Process: Blend cornstarch with cold water to create a smooth slurry, then stir into the cooking liquid along with sesame oil to develop a luxurious, glossy texture.
  5. Vegetable Incorporation: Add broccoli florets and red bell peppers to the slow cooker, continuing to cook on high for an additional 30 minutes until vegetables reach desired tenderness.
  6. Final Touches: Conduct a flavor assessment, making any necessary seasoning adjustments, then artfully arrange the succulent chicken and vibrant vegetables over steamed rice.
  7. Presentation: Embellish the dish with delicate scallion slivers and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, transforming the meal into a visually stunning culinary experience.

Notes

  • Spice Up Right: Use five-spice powder generously to create a deep, complex flavor profile that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dish.
  • Sauce Success: Whisk chicken stock, soy sauce, and aromatics thoroughly to ensure a well-integrated, balanced sauce that penetrates every chicken piece.
  • Thickening Trick: Mix cornstarch with cold water separately to prevent lumps, creating a smooth slurry that guarantees a glossy, restaurant-quality sauce texture.
  • Veggie Timing Matters: Add broccoli and bell peppers during the final 30 minutes to maintain crisp texture and vibrant colors while absorbing the rich cooking liquid.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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