Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice

This thick & creamy chicken & rice meal is
delicious, healthy and satisfying. 🥰

Ingredients:

1/2 cup wild rice

1/2 cup basmati rice 

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup diced onion (about 1 medium onion)

1 cup diced carrot (about 2 medium carrots or 12 baby carrots)

3/4 cup diced celery (about 2 stalks)

5 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

2 bay leaves

6 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 cups water

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

5 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup flour

1 cup milk

1 cup half & half

Italian or regular chopped parsley (optional)

Method:

Place the rices in a seive and rinse with water. Add the rices, chicken, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaves, broth, water, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to the pot of a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Remove the chicken and transfer to a plate or bowl. Shred with two forks and return to the pot.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute. Stir together the milk and half & half in a two cup measuring cup. Slowly add the milk mixture while stirring with a whisk until the mixture is smooth, creamy and thickened. Stir into the slow cooker. Allow to stand for at least 5 minutes before serving. Reduce heat to warm until ready to serve. If desired, garnish with a little bit of chopped parsley. Makes 10 cups ~ Six 1 2/3 cup servings. 

Note: This creamy, aromatic and tasty dish is simple comfort food! After 11 days in the hospital, my husband needed to follow a "soft foods" diet for 1 week. This was a perfect, nutritious meal that he could enjoy. ❤