This hearty Slow Cooker Braised Chicken Thighs and Rice is prepared using chicken thighs, rice, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. This flavorful chicken and rice recipe is perfect for dinner It takes about 285 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, finely diced
• 1 rib celery, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs (908 g) bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
• ¾ cup (180 ml) white wine or vermouth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tsp dried rosemary
• ¼ tsp dried thyme
• 1½ cups (360 ml) chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup (185 g) uncooked Basmati or other long-grain rice

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Add the diced onion, carrot, celery, minced garlic, chicken thighs, wine, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, chicken broth, and a pinch of salt and pepper into your 6-quart slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 4 hours, or if you prefer, set it on low and cook for 8 hours to allow the flavors to develop even more.
2. If you’re cooking on the low setting, after the 8 hours is up, turn the heat up to high. Stir in the uncooked rice at this point to let it absorb the broth and cook through, which should take about 30 minutes.
3. Make sure to check if the rice has softened completely after 30 minutes of cooking. If you feel it needs more time, give it an extra 10-15 minutes on high, but don’t overdo it to avoid mushy rice.
4. Once the rice is perfectly cooked, remove the bay leaf before serving. Give the dish a quick taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed, then serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Add extra veggies: For more flavor and nutrition, toss in diced bell peppers or zucchini during the last hour of cooking. They’ll stay firm and add a fresh touch to the dish.
• Use homemade broth: If you have homemade chicken broth, use it instead of store-bought. It will elevate the dish with deeper flavors and less sodium than store-bought options.
• Adjust rice texture: If you prefer firmer rice, reduce the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes after adding the rice. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
• Brown the chicken first: Sear the chicken thighs in a hot pan before adding them to the slow cooker. This step will deepen the flavors and give the chicken a better texture.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Slow Cooker Recipes:

• 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
• Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken Heaven