Description
A comforting and flavorful slow cooker dish featuring wild rice, chicken, and crispy sage butter, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups wild rice blend
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced (cremini, button, shiitake, or a mix)
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 Parmesan rind, optional (adds richness)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 8 fresh sage leaves
Instructions
- Build the Flavor Base in the Crockpot: Add the wild rice blend, onion, carrots, all the mushrooms, celery, and dried parsley to your slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss everything together. Pour the chicken broth over the rice and vegetables.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, coat the chicken with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, thyme, rosemary, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Place the chicken on top of the rice mixture in the crockpot. Add the smashed garlic cloves. If using the Parmesan rind, place it in the slow cooker. Cover and cook: LOW: 5–6 hours, HIGH: 2–3 hours. The chicken becomes tender and the rice soaks up all the savory broth.
- Make the Crispy Sage Butter: Before serving, preheat your oven broiler to high. Remove the chicken and garlic from the slow cooker and transfer to a baking sheet. Scatter butter pieces and sage leaves around the chicken. Broil for 1–3 minutes, until the sage crisps and the chicken edges turn golden. Peel the roasted garlic cloves, chop them finely, and mix them into the melted butter. Toss the chicken in this garlic-sage butter so every piece is coated.
- Serve: Fluff the wild rice and vegetables with a fork. Serve the chicken over the rice mixture. Spoon any leftover sage-garlic butter from the tray over the top for extra flavor. Add more herbs or cracked pepper if you like.
Notes
- This recipe is comforting, earthy, herb-heavy, and mushroom-rich, taking the original to the next level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg