Slow Cooker Basil Chicken and Rice
90 CommentsUpdated Jun 04, 2026
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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.
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.
Key Ingredients
Chicken: I use chicken thighs for this recipe. They are a fattier cut which means more flavor for this chicken dish.
Leeks: Leeks are like giant green onions and give amazing flavor to the dish.
Chicken Broth: This will keep the chicken and rice moist.
Rice: We use minute rice for this recipe.
Seasonings: Butter, dried basil, kosher salt, and black pepper provide the perfect amount of seasoning to this basil chicken recipe.
How to Make Basil Chicken and Rice
- Toss the chicken, broth, herbs, and leeks into the crockpot.
- Top with butter and let it all simmer low and slow.
- When it’s ready, stir in the rice and let it soak up the goodness.
- Fluff, serve, and dig in!
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs.
- Minute Brand Jasmine or Brown rice an be used instead the white.
- Chopped green onions work great instead of leeks.
Featured Comment
“Great recipe, everyone wants it again ASAP.”
– j coombs
Slow Cooker Basil Chicken and Rice
How to Video
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!
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Other great Chicken and Rice recipes
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Try my Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice which has tender chicken and a creamy sauce.
No Peek Chicken and Slow Cooker Crack Chicken are creamy, comforting favorites made right in the crockpot. For a hearty twist, try Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli and Rice recipe.
Looks amazing! I’ve been looking for a chicken & rice recipe that won’t leave the rice gummy. Can’t wait to make it.
Thoughts on using fresh basil? I have a basil plant that I need more recipes for! I know it’s more potent than dry… thinking of chopping up fresh and using a little less.
I think that should work fine! Sounds good.
Looks very yummy! Is it possible to substitute or do away with the butter, though? Would it dry out the chicken if I skipped the butter?
You can replace it with more broth.
Can you use whole grain brown basmati rice which normally enjoys long slow cooking. Also, it is better for you.
This looks really good! Could you use frozen chicken, if so how much longer?
Can you use boneless chicken breasts?
Yes!
Can split breasts be used instead of thighs
Yes, will work fine.
Will keep this recipe, due to can’t get any rice at the moment whilst mindless idiots are stock piling rice during the corona virus outbreak. X
I know! I’ve been surprised at how much money is being spent. Like, who knew Americans were holding out?
Joking, kinda.
Could you use Arborio rice? If so is the amount and time cooking the same?
Standard rice does not do well in the slow cooker, it gets gummy.
Hi
Would it be same measurements of ingredients if doing in a 3.5 quart slow cooker?
I think this recipe should work fine in a 3.5 quart. In the photos I see that the pot wasn’t even half full.