Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole (Gluten-Free)

Katie's Recipe Notes

• Goal: Super easy dinner recipe. Add everything to the crock pot with almost zero effort.
• No gluten or dairy: This recipe is gluten-free and/or dairy-free depending on the can of cream of chicken soup you choose.
• Creamy but not cheesy: This casserole is "creamy" due to the way it cooks, but doesn't have any milk or cheese.
• Make it for 2-3 people or a whole family: This recipe is simple to scale up or down, depending on how many mouths you need to feed!

Ingredients

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Other pieces would also work.
• Long Grain White Rice: Use long grain rice like jasmine or basmati rice. Minute rice will not work in this recipe.
• Gluten-Free Onion Soup Mix: For gluten-free, be sure to check the ingredients. If you can't find it, I've got a super easy substitute that I'll put in the recipe notes.
• Gluten-Free Cream of Chicken Soup: I've been using Campbell's.
• Italian Seasoning and other seasonings to taste: I like to season the chicken with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika.

*Refer to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

What Cream of Chicken Soup is Gluten-Free?

There are quite a few brands that carry gluten-free cream of chicken soup. I have found gluten-free cream of chicken soup from the following brands. If you want to make a homemade version, try my gluten-free cream of chicken soup substitute recipe.

• Campbell's
• Good Graces (Hy-Vee)
• Great Value (Walmart)
• Kroger (Store Brand)
• Pacific Foods
• True Goodness (Meijer)

Which Onion Soup Mix is Gluten-Free?

When I was diagnosed with celiac, it was very hard to find a gluten-free onion soup mix. Lipton onion soup mix contains barley, which is not gluten-free, and many others also contain wheat.

I created my own version to make French onion chip dip, but I've noticed recently that there are more gluten-free options popping up. Here's what I've seen, check your grocery stores and labels:

• Hy-Vee Good Graces Organic Onion Dip & Dressing Mix
• Kroger brand Onion Soup & Dip Mix (gluten-free by ingredient)
• Kinder's Onion Dip & Seasoning Mix (gluten-free by ingredient)

How Much Does It Make?

• Half Recipe: Feeds 2-3. Use a 3-quart slow cooker.
• Full Recipe: Feeds 4-5. Use a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker.
• Double Recipe: Feeds 8-10. Use a 7 or 8 quart slow cooker.

*Use the .5, 1x, 2x buttons on the recipe card below to scale the recipe to suit your needs.

How to Make Chicken and Rice in the Crock Pot

• Step 1: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Step 2: Whisk together the chicken broth, canned soup, onion soup mix, and Italian seasoning. Pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
• Step 3: Stir in the rice.
• Step 4: Place the chicken on top.
• Step 5: Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through to at least 165°F and the rice is tender.

Tips for Success

• You can brown the chicken first if desired, but I often skip this step! Either way, the chicken turns out tender and flavorful.
• Don't cook much longer than the recipe states, or the rice can overcook and absorb too much moisture, making the rice mushy.
• Use long-grain rice, not instant rice.
• Avoid lifting the lid during cooking, as it releases heat and extends cook time.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to restore the creamy texture, as the rice continues to absorb liquid. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F.
• Freezer: I don't recommend freezing this casserole, as the rice texture becomes mushy when thawed.

Recipe FAQ's