This Slow Cooker Basil Chicken and Rice is a complete meal with tender chicken thighs, rice, and plenty of basil. Try this recipe tonight to put an easy weeknight dinner on the table.
Basil adds such a wonderful flavor to meals, just like in my Slow Cooker Puttanesca Sauce – a must-try for your next pasta dish.
Why this recipe works
This recipe is a spin on my mom’s oven recipe for basil rice. My mom makes a basil rice recipe that goes great with anything. She would brown rice and butter in a skillet, add dried basil, chicken broth, and rice and then finish it in the oven. I made her rice recipe a complete meal by adding chicken and easier by using the crock pot.
For this recipe, I cook chicken, leeks, basil, butter, and chicken broth for 6 hours. Then I stir in Minute Brand rice and put the lid back on, and cook for about 25 minutes more. You may remember that I do not like conventional rice in the slow cooker; it gets gummy. Minute rice is preboiled and then dried, so it doesn’t get gummy, and it cooks fast.
The rice turns out perfectly fluffy and tastes amazing since it is flavored with the butter and broth the chicken has been cooking in. The thighs turn out moist and tender in this meal too! Your whole family is sure to enjoy this meal. Don’t forget to check the bottom of this page for more chicken recipes. You may also like my slow cooker whole chicken and rice recipe.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken: I use chicken thighs for this recipe. They are a fattier cut which means more flavor for this chicken dish.
- Chicken Broth: The chicken broth will soak up the flavor from the chicken, butter, leeks, and seasonings as well as serve as the liquid for cooking the rice.
- Rice: As I mentioned above, I like the way Minute brand rice cooks in the slow cooker. You’ll have perfectly cooked rice for a delicious recipe.
- Seasonings: Butter, dried basil, kosher salt, and black pepper provide the perfect amount of seasoning to this basil chicken recipe.
Step-by-Step
Step One – Place the chicken into the bottom of the slow cooker. Add in the chicken broth, basil, salt, pepper, and leeks. Put the unmelted quartered butter on top.
Step Two – Cook chicken thighs on LOW for 6 hours.
Step Three – When the cooking time is complete, add in the rice and stir. Cover and cook on LOW for 25 minutes longer.
Step Four – Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins would pair perfectly with the other ingredients.
Although this calls for basil, you can also play around with adding fresh lemon juice to create a lemon basil chicken. Garlic powder and parmesan cheese would be absolutely delicious. It can also be turned into a Thai dish by adding soy sauce, fish sauce, holy basil, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. Cherry tomatoes or sun dried tomatoes would marry well with this dish as well.
Although it is considered a one-pot meal, you can still serve additional sides like garlic bread, roasted red peppers (for a topping), and fresh green onion as a garnish.
Add any remaining chicken and rice to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the leftovers on the stove top over medium low heat. You may have to add a bit of liquid to keep the rice from sticking and/or burning.
Of course. Fresh basil, homegrown basil, normal sweet basil, or dried basil leaves will work. You can also add fresh spinach. I recommend cutting the fresh basil leaves, so the flavor disperses easily.
Delicious recipes like this can be served with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or over pasta of your choice.
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Slow Cooker Basil Chicken and Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 15 oz. can chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 cup diced leeks
- 3 Tbsp. Butter
- 2 cups white Minute rice ADD AT THE END
Instructions:
- Add the chicken, chicken broth, basil, salt, pepper and leeks to the slow cooker. Add the butter on top of the chicken, no need to melt it.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
- After the cooking time is done, remove the chicken onto a plate with a slotted spoon. Stir in the minute rice, Add the chicken into the rice. Cover and cook on LOW for 25 more minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
- UK viewers: If you can’t find Minute rice try Tilda’s Easy Cook Long Grain Rice.
- Add any remaining chicken and rice to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the leftovers on the stove top over medium low heat. You may have to add a bit of liquid to keep the rice from sticking and/or burning.
- Although it is considered a one-pot meal, you can still serve additional sides like garlic bread, roasted red peppers (for a topping), and fresh green onion as a garnish. You can also serve this with a steamed vegetable or a green salad.
- Chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins can be used instead of chicken thighs.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
KC Curry says
I am alergic to rice. Do you think quinoa or Cous Cous could be used?
Sarah Olson says
Pasta doesn’t do well in the slow cooker. The slow cooker never gets to that rapid boil point that pasta needs, so it gets gummy.
Jen says
Hi. Darn, i looked in the freezer and all I have are bone in chicken thighs. Would these work? Would it change the cooking time? Thanks.
Sarah Olson says
I think the same time will work, you could remove the skin if desired, it will be less greasy.
Desiree says
How much minute rice do you add?
Tara says
Silly question? Do you think I can mix thighs and breasts? If so is there a cooking time difference? Thanks in advance
Sarah Olson says
It should be fine for the same amount of time 🙂
Tara Graham says
Thank you! I cant wait to try it =)
Steph says
Any modifications if i used chicken breast instead of thigh? To the time or high/low/etc?
Sarah Olson says
The time will be the same as long as the chicken is thawed. 🙂
Mihaela says
Hello, I just got my first slow cooker and looking for recipes I came accross this one which sounds so good, I love leeks. If I put regular rice with all ingredients would cook thru?
Sarah Olson says
Regular rice in the slow cooker can get gluey and gummy. It doesn’t get quite hot enough.
Marissa Hunt says
This is seriously soooo easy and delicious! I used an onion because I didn’t have leeks. I also used fresh basil! Thanks for the recipe! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
meredithwagoner1 says
If I wanted to double the chicken in this recipe and just cook the rice separately, could I do so in one slow cooker? Mine is 7-qt.
Sarah Olson says
I think that would work just fine!
Gillian says
In the UK, not sure we have minute rice. Do you know if any other options?
Sarah Olson says
The only thing I can think of for people who can’t find or don’t buy minute rice is to serve this dish over steamed rice. It will still taste great.
Christina says
This is the best recipe I’ve ever made in my slow cooker. Love it
Sarah Olson says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Jessica says
Would it taste fine without the leeks?
Sarah Olson says
I think so! It’s just an onion flavor.
meredithwagoner1 says
This is hands down THE BEST thing that’s ever come out of my slow cooker. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, Sarah!