Breezy Slow Cooker Chicken With Bacon Cheddar And Rice (Print version)

Creamy slow cooker chicken and rice with bacon, cheddar, ranch seasoning, and a fresh green onion finish.

# Ingredients:

For the chicken base

01 - 2 lb (900 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened and cubed
03 - 1 can (10.5 oz or 298 g) cream of chicken soup
04 - 1 packet (1 oz or 28 g) ranch seasoning mix
05 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the rice and finish

06 - 1 1/2 cups (270 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
07 - 3 cups (720 ml) warm low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
10 - 1/4 cup (15 g) sliced green onions, optional
11 - Nonstick cooking spray or 1 teaspoon oil, for the slow cooker

# Instructions:

01 - Lightly coat a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or oil.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in the bottom. Top with cream cheese cubes, cream of chicken soup, ranch seasoning, and black pepper.
03 - Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F and shreds easily.
04 - Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the creamy sauce.
05 - Stir in the rinsed rice and warm chicken broth. Cover and cook on high for 30-45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the rice is tender.
06 - Stir in the cheddar cheese and about three-quarters of the bacon. Cover for 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.
07 - Spoon into bowls and top with green onions and the remaining bacon. Add a splash of broth if you want a looser texture.

# Good to know:

01 - Use a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker for even cooking.
02 - Rice timing can vary by slow cooker model, so start checking at 30 minutes.
03 - Nutrition is an estimate per serving.