This is the EASIEST pressure cooker or slow cooker recipe you will ever make. This homey, hearty, Smothered Chicken and Rice only requires a few ingredients and is the ultimate comfort food for fall.
What Is Smothered Chicken and Rice?
This chicken recipe is the world's EASIEST slow cooker or pressure cooker recipe. I'm not lying. And...it's delicious.
We all have those so-busy-I-want-to-pull-my-hair-out days, and this recipe is for just those occasions. You'll come home to a homey, comforting, warm meal without lifting a finger.
Smothered chicken is a simple chicken dish with a creamy gravy that is served over rice. The combination of the starchy rice and the savory gravy is heaven. My mom makes this slow cooker chicken dish and I seriously crave it every time I go to visit. How funny is it that I request a meal that takes minutes when I don't have to cook? I don't know what it is - but this dish tastes so good out of my mom's slow cooker! It also makes me feel like I'm at home.
What Do I Need To Make This Recipe?
The ingredient list is so short - you won't even believe it!
- frozen chicken breasts
- cream of chicken soup
- water
- chicken gravy mix
- hot cooked rice
How to Make Your Own Smothered Chicken:
I'm going to cover the pressure cooker steps, but if you are going to the slow cooker route - be sure to check out the recipe card for the easy steps there.
- Add water to your pressure cooker
- Pour in cream of chicken. Do not stir.
- Top with frozen chicken.
- Cook on poultry setting for 20 minutes and allow a natural release.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred.
- Combine gravy mix and water - whisk until well combined.
- Set your pressure cooker to saute and stir in until sauce is thickened.
- Add shredded chicken back to sauce.
- Serve over hot cooked rice.
Smothered Chicken Q&A
I'm a visual person - do you have a video of how to make this recipe?
We do! It's located in the recipe card.
I don't like rice - can I substitute something else?
Yes! Try mashed potatoes. I also always serve a veggie on the side for a balanced meal.
What if I don't like using cream of chicken soup?
You can definitely make a substitute. A great alternative can be found at Berly's Kitchen. Just substitute the equivalent amount of ounces in this recipe with her homemade version.
Do you have recommendations for a good pressure cooker and slow cooker?
I sure do. When it comes to pressure cookers, I love the 6qt Instant Pot Duo. I've had mine for years and it works like a charm every time. When it comes to slow cookers - you can't go wrong with the original crockpot.
I need more fast and easy dinner solutions - what do you recommend?
Try out our Italian beef sandwiches, our honey mustard chicken, and our cheeseburger meatloaf.
Leave Us A Comment!
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Smothered Chicken and Rice
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 30 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet chicken gravy mix
- 1 cup water, divided for pressure cooker method only
- hot steamed rice or mashed potatoes
Instructions
Slower Cooker Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with nonstick spray.
- Place chicken inside slow cooker.
- Sprinkle gravy mix over chicken.
- Cover with cream of chicken soup.
- Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Shred or cut chicken into bite sized pieces and return to sauce.
- Serve your slow cooker chicken over hot cooked rice or mashed potatoes.
Pressure Cooker Instructions
- Add ¾ cup water to pot.
- Pour in cream of chicken soup. So not stir.
- Top with frozen chicken.
- Cook on poultry setting for 20 minutes. Allow a natural release.
- Remove chicken from pot and shred.
- Whisk together ¼ cup water and gravy mix.
- Set pot to saute and bring sauce to a simmer. Add gravy mixture and whisk until thickened.
- Add shredded chicken back into sauce.
- Serve over hot cooker rice.
Video
Notes
Smothered Chicken Q&A
I don't like rice - can I substitute something else?
Yes! Try mashed potatoes. I also always serve a veggie on the side for a balanced meal.What if I don't like using cream of chicken soup?
You can definitely make a substitute. A great alternative can be found at Berly's Kitchen. Just substitute the equivalent amount of ounces in this recipe with her homemade version.Do you have recommendations for a good pressure cooker and slow cooker?
I sure do. When it comes to pressure cookers, I love the 6qt Instant Pot Duo. I've had mine for years and it works like a charm every time. When it comes to slow cookers - you can't go wrong with the original crockpot.Nutrition
Nikki says
If I wanted to use defrosted Chicken with the IP method, can I use chicken broth instead of water to add flavor to the chicken and follow the rest of the recipe as written, or would that be to overpowering? How long would I cook it with defrosted chicken
Kadee says
I think the broth would be too salty. I use thawed chicken all the time, cooking time is 15-20 minutes.
Thelma says
Can I use chicken Thighs instead of chicken Breast? in a slow cooker?
Kadee says
You can use thighs is you prefer. They will work just fine.
charlene fowler says
5 *****
diana says
i don't have the poultry setting, how much time would it be on pressure cooker setting and what temperature?
Kadee says
Use manual high pressure and cook for 15 minutes with a natural release.
Sarah says
Im wanting to try this but I'm worried about making too much! I live alone. I'm wondering if I would be able to half the recipe, and how that would affect cooking time (I have a ninja foodi. High for 15 mins?)
Kadee says
You can absolutely half the recipe, and it should not change the cooking time.
Elizabeth Davis says
Was a great recipe in a pinch! I love your site, I love your approach to cooking, and I love that I can count on your recipes. Thank you!
Marsha huckins says
Your recipe card says 30 oz. of cream of chicken soup! That's 3 cans!
Is this really the correct amount?
Kadee says
No, it's supposed to be 20oz. Thanks for the catch, I'll fit is up.
Kellie Anthony says
It still says 30 oz of cream of chicken. And I doubled the recipe so I doubled the amount of cream of chicken before I saw this😬 I also wonder if I needed to add water to the crockpot along with the cream of chicken or just the cream of chicken. I hope it’s good!
Kadee says
30 ounces of cream of chicken is correct - so two cans of cream of chicken.
If you are slow cooking, there is no need to add water. The water is only necessary if you are making this in a pressure cooker.
Brianna Owens says
Ohhh no I just did 3 cans and 3 cans of water with 4 big chicken breast in my crock pot I hope this comes out ok I’m nervous now
Kadee says
It might be a runny - but will still be yummy.
Jennifer says
I'm here after seeing this on an IP Facebook group. I made this tonight, and it was so good! Thank you! My husband is a picky eater, and when he says he likes something, that is a compliment.
Kelsey rawlinGs says
If I wanted to cook on high how many hours would it be?
Kadee says
4 hours on high
Prohmeteegefoo says
Do you add any water or milk to this recipe?
Prohmeteegefoo says
I usually do not, but if you want a thinner sauce after you have completed the cooking you can add in a little milk.
Carolyn Snively says
How can I make this gluten free? I have the gf soup mix but not gravy mix.
Kadee says
Hi Carolyn, you can make your own cream of chicken soup using gluten free flour. I'll post a recipe about this soon! :)
Joyce says
I use to cook this in a skillet with broccoli added to it can I do the broc gain? I also use to put mixed vegetables in it. Hummy meal.
google down says
Should I thaw the chicken before putting in crockpot?
dns information says
Either works! I often do frozen chicken, but thawed chicken will work fine too.
Elizabeth Miller says
I made this tonight and it was so good! Thank you for such an easy yet satisfying recipe!!!
Cherie says
Mine is cooking right now for the last 2-1/2 hours. But I tastes it and it's extremely salty. What should I do ?
Kadee says
Hi Cherie,
Mine has never turned out salty - but if you can always dilute with a cup of milk or an extra can of cream of chicken.
Samantha says
I don't see servings on here? I have 4 grown men should I double the recipe?
Kadee says
Yes I would double the recipe.