Chances are you’re tired of cooking.
Soooooooo I’ve decided to give you a break before I talk about Christmas cookies for the next 29 days. I’m so excited that I can hardly stand it. I LOVE Christmas and all the baking that goes along with it with all of my heart and soul. But first! A break. A well deserved-bust-out-the-crock-pot-and-put-your-feet-up kinda break. I love this simple comforting casserole recipe. It’s comfort food, pure and simple, and the perfect dinner when you round it out with a big green salad and a glass of wine. It’s also one of those absolutely delicious recipes that doesn’t photograph so hot, so please bear with me. It’s worth it — I promise.
All you need are some chicken breasts, green chilies, an onion, bell pepper, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese and rice. It’s delightfully retro in the best way possible and reheats even better the next day.
If you’re thinking that this looks like something your mom or grandma made, you’re probably right. It’s a slow cooker variation on the traditional chicken and rice casserole, which has nursed thousands through breakups, hard times, pms, migraine headaches and taxes.
Unfortunately my photos make it resemble dog food and do no justice to the amazingly comforting cheesy taste. Guess that means you’ll have to make it yourself! It’s cyber monday — go ahead and buy yourself that Crock Pot you’ve been lusting after. Here’s one that closely resembles mine. Best $20 I’ve ever spent.
Happy {cyber} Monday! How was your Thanksgiving??
Crock Pot Chicken, Rice and Green Chile Casserole
serves 6
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
1 yellow onion, small diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 4-oz can diced and fire roasted green chilies
1/2 cup raw white or brown rice + 1 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper
thinly sliced green onions for serving
hot sauce for serving
Directions:
Place chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Scatter onions, bell peppers, chilies and cream of chicken soup on top. Place lid on slow cooker and turn heat to low. Cook for 6-8 hours until meat literally falls apart when you stir.
Cook the rice in a small saucepot with the water for 30 minutes or until all liquid has absorbed. Stir the rice into the crock pot along with the grated cheese. Mix well until the cheese melts.
Serve with hot sauce and sliced green onions.
Time:
active time — 10 minutes
total time —Β 8 hours
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
November 26, 2012 at 3:46 amJenna, even your meals that ‘resemble dog food’ look about a million times better than mine! Some foods just aren’t photogenic and crock pot cooked ones definitely fall into that category. I can’t wait for your cookie recipes! Christmas baking is a huge tradition in my family so I’m excited to see what you’ve got this year!
Trey
November 26, 2012 at 3:57 amThis does NOT resemble dog food haha! I am however drooling like a dog at this point. Can’t wait to try it!
Tracy
February 13, 2013 at 7:04 amThis is the absolute best crock pot meal. Not only is it super easy…but it tastes AMAZING. My family drools when they find out I’m making it for dinner. It’s a big dish and goes fast with 3 kids.
jenna
February 13, 2013 at 7:53 amI am so glad you guys liked it!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
November 26, 2012 at 4:49 amI need to dust off my crockpot – the set it and forget it part is the best!
Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
November 26, 2012 at 5:12 amSometimes ‘delightfully retro’ hits the spot!
Jenny @ BAKE
November 26, 2012 at 5:36 amThis looks like incredible comfort food! It might even replace mac and cheese (which I’ve been trying to find a healthier alternative!)
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates)
November 26, 2012 at 5:49 amI AM so tired of cooking – I have something in the crockpot right now! This is a fun change from my normal crockpot recipes – looks delicious =)
Joelle (on a pink typewriter)
November 26, 2012 at 5:52 amLooks delicious!
Bev @ Bev Cooks
November 26, 2012 at 6:13 amI want this. In an embarrassing way.
Heather @ Heather's Dish
November 26, 2012 at 6:37 amI can’t wait to make this – I need it in my life!
Anne Weber-Falk
November 26, 2012 at 7:33 amLooks good and comforting but I don’t do canned soups, too much sodium. I couldn’t get my rings off and my eyes would be little slits from all of that. I swear that if I so much as look at a grain of salt I puff up. Sighhh…do you have any ideas for a substitute? Thanks for all you do Jenna. I really enjoy your work.
Erin Dimberg
December 17, 2013 at 12:18 pmWe don’t do canned soups either. I have found recipes on Pinterest for various canned soup recipes so. I,ll make one of those and substitute it for the canned chicken soup.
luv what you do
November 26, 2012 at 8:01 amI am such a huge fan of crockpot recipes…I am adding this into our rotation. IT looks perfect for the chilly termperatures ahead!
Lia
November 26, 2012 at 8:08 amMmmmm. I love dishes like that. A couchsurfer we hosted bought a ton of rise and it is in dire need to be used. I may make a variation on this. It really does sound comforting. I feel like I can imagine the smell of it too!
Amanda @ The Unfamiliar Kitchen
November 26, 2012 at 8:37 amYou’re right…I am tired of cooking. Now all I need is a crockpot to save me. This looks amazing, as always!
kim@hungryhealthygirl
November 26, 2012 at 8:45 amYum! I love these comfort food recipes in the winter and even better, it’s super easy! I’ll be dusting off the old crock pot for sure!
Sarah @ Yogi In Action
November 26, 2012 at 8:57 amThis looks delicious! And so easy. I love meals made with a crock pot for weekday meals. Definitely going to be making this soon.
Erica @ Coffee & Quinoa
November 26, 2012 at 9:39 amJenna, I love your photos! Even if you think the chicken itself doesn’t look as amazing here as it tastes, the composition is still amazing, and I always love your props. Glad to see the crockpot is coming out for winter!!
AC
November 26, 2012 at 10:14 am@Anne try this: http://tammysrecipes.com/homemade_cream_chicken_soup
I am not opposed to the canned but didn’t want to run to the store one day and this worked beautifully!
Anne Weber-Falk
November 26, 2012 at 12:23 pmThanks a lot. I’ll go right over there to check it out.
AC
November 26, 2012 at 10:15 amand forgot to type that this looks wonderful!
Christina
November 26, 2012 at 10:19 amMade your Creamy White Chicken Chili last night for the first time. So delish!!!! Leftovers for lunch today! Ridiculously excited.
Thanks for the yum yums!
Sarah @ Dukan Diet
November 26, 2012 at 10:52 amThis looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it. I am thinking about trying it with a wild rice mixture I have been staring at for awhile. Thanks!
Sharla
November 26, 2012 at 11:55 amthis is exactly what i need for a busy week!! think it would taste much different with turkey rather than chicken??
Julia
November 26, 2012 at 12:30 pmDefinitely pinning this recipe for later! I love slow cooker recipes for busy nights.
Veronica
November 26, 2012 at 12:34 pmHi Jenna. Is the chicken supposed to be cut up prior to placing it in the crock pot? Or does it go in whole?
jenna
November 26, 2012 at 12:48 pmNope! Just place the breasts down at the bottom of the pot and you’ll be fine π
Jodea @ chillichocolatelove
November 26, 2012 at 12:40 pmI can almost taste it – it looks like it would melt in your mouth. Comfort food at it’s absolute best!
Becky @ Olives n Wine
November 26, 2012 at 1:10 pmCrockpot, comfort foods are the best this time of year! Thanks for sharing your delicious recipe π
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
November 26, 2012 at 2:00 pmSo excited for 29 days of Christmas Cookies!
Caroline L.
November 26, 2012 at 2:12 pmYum, this looks fantastic! I’m hardcore craving (more?) kick-back-and-relax time with a huge bowl of this… I have issues, I know.
Holli
November 26, 2012 at 2:59 pmJust made this! Licked my plate clean…FANTABULOUS!
Molly
November 26, 2012 at 4:15 pmHi Jenna!
I am a new reader to your website, but love it. In fact, making this recipe tonight π
Kristy
November 26, 2012 at 5:00 pmThis LOOKS and SOUNDS delicious…and your pictures always look amazing!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
November 26, 2012 at 5:28 pmI am super excited about this post because I FINALLY got a crockpot!!! This recipe is so getting made now π
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
November 26, 2012 at 6:04 pmLOVE slow cooker meals!! π Yum!
Emily @ Life on Food
November 26, 2012 at 6:15 pmI get more excited for the month of Christmas baking than I do for the presents. Thank you for clearing out my oven of dinner things to make room for cookies!
Paige
November 26, 2012 at 6:43 pmHi Jenna! First time commenting even though I have been a reader of about 2 and a half years. I started your book last night and was so inspired that tonight I cooked my very first “fancy” meal- linguine and clams! You just made it sound so good that I had to! You’re a great inspiration and I am so happy to hear more about you and your life through your book. Congrats on all you have achieved! Looking forward to being a reader for as long as you will allow π
jenna k
November 26, 2012 at 8:11 pmwhoa, this sounds great!!
Christina
November 26, 2012 at 8:51 pmI was wondering if the you put the rice in at the end of the 6 to 8 hours. In my mind I’m thinking the rice would cook to nothing over that length of time.
jenna
November 26, 2012 at 10:18 pmYou’re right – you stir the rice and cheese in right before serving π
Tyler
December 30, 2012 at 2:02 pmI’m going to attempt to put the rice (and extra water, hot) straight into the crock pot like 45min-1hr before the end. Hopefully it works! One of my roommates left recently and took all the pots and pans with him.
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
November 27, 2012 at 7:18 amIt’s always a good time for a slow cooker recipes – especially after Thanksgiving! This sounds perfect for a cold winter night with some good Italian bread on the side. Great recipe.
Carrie @ Kiss My Whisk
November 27, 2012 at 8:02 amI’m always looking for new slow cooker recipes, this sounds like a perfect addition to add to my rotation!
Kim D
November 27, 2012 at 9:03 amI’m making this for dinner tonight. Can’t wait to try it!
Kimberly @ Kimberly's Treats
November 27, 2012 at 9:43 amThat casserole still looks delicious! Your photos are so nice, I can almost taste it!
Katie
November 27, 2012 at 1:56 pmOh my goodness! That looks delish!
Michelle
November 27, 2012 at 9:13 pmYum! Comfy coziness in the crock pot!
K
November 27, 2012 at 11:10 pmI LOVE ALL your recipes!!! This looks yummy and so comforting. Just made your Chicken Tortellini soup and it was delicious. I make your White Chicken Chili often and made it for my parents one day and they absolutely loved it, gave them the recipe and they have made several times and just love it too! All your recipes are home runs … thank you so much for sharing such goodness! π
Liza in Ann Arbor
November 28, 2012 at 6:50 amTHIS is exactly the recipe I need right now. Thanks for posting!
melissa
November 28, 2012 at 9:36 amhello, i am making this now and i have a question…we couldnt find any canned chilis, so we bought some serrano peppers and a jalopeno, and i just got finished browning them on a pan, i was cutting the serranos and i put a piece to my tongue and it was EXTREMELY spicy! do you recommend not to use all those peppers in the dish, will it be too spicy for the dish? i am having a dinner party tonight and want it to be perfect, thanks!
jenna
November 28, 2012 at 9:47 ameek those are really spicy peppers!! I recommend using only a teaspoon or, if you like heat, a tablespoon of those minced roasted peppers since they are SO hot.
melissa
November 28, 2012 at 9:46 amone more question!…should i not stir till the end and leave the chicken at the bottom of the pot for most of the day? THANKS!
Erin
November 29, 2012 at 6:53 amCorrect. I made it last night and only stirred it around twice with keeping the chicken at the bottom and by the time 7 hours were up, I moved the chicken around and it literally fell into pieces. And it is a REALLY good dish!
xoxo
Erin
readeatcreate.com
Erin
November 28, 2012 at 6:23 pmI made this for dinner tonight when my parents came over! Oh man was it good! They loved it, I loved it, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce loved being on top of it. All very good things!
xoxo
Erin
readeatcreate.com
Erin
November 28, 2012 at 6:23 pmThen I gave my mom some of your Elvis Granola that I made earlier today too! Haha…it was an Eat, Live, Run kinda day!
The Toronto Marketer
November 29, 2012 at 8:16 pmAwesome!
Casey
December 12, 2012 at 9:00 amHi Jenna! Could I cook this on high in the slow cooker for 3-4 hours instead?
Gina
December 13, 2012 at 3:15 pmI made this last night, and it was just what I needed on a cold night. Thanks for an awesome recipe!
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Laura
February 4, 2013 at 10:08 amCan I make and freeze this? Assuming so. Then how long would I reheat for and at what temp? Thanks!
Sue
February 24, 2013 at 6:28 pmMade this today & just wanted to reiterate how easy it is. I’m super busy this weekend so this was perfect for a comforting meal with leftovers. I agree it isn’t beautiful but it has great flavor. Thanks Jenna!
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liz
September 24, 2013 at 2:11 pmDumb question but do you cook for 6-8 hrs BEFORE putting the rice in?