Slow Cooker Vegan Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Slow Cooker Vegan Chicken and Rice is a comforting, wholesome one-pot meal featuring tender vegan soy curls, fluffy brown rice, and sweet peas cooked together in a rich vegetable broth. It’s perfect for an easy hands-off weeknight dinner or cozy meal prep. The slow cooker method infuses the rice and soy curls with deep savory flavor while keeping the texture perfectly tender. Optional vegan butter adds richness, while the recipe can be adapted to be oil-free or gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Vegan, American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups brown rice (measured dry and rinsed)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup bouillon powder (vegetable, for broth)
- 2 Tbsp vegan butter or olive oil (for oil-free option: substitute full-fat unsweetened coconut milk)
- 4 oz dry soy curls (vegan chicken substitute)
Instructions
- Prepare Base: Add the water, rinsed brown rice, vegetable bouillon powder, and vegan butter (or olive oil) to your slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to high heat. Cook without removing the lid for 2 hours to allow the rice to partially cook and absorb the flavors.
- Add Vegan Chicken and Peas: After 2 hours, add the dry soy curls and frozen peas to the slow cooker. Stir well to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high to rehydrate the soy curls and cook the peas.
- Rest and Season: Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker but leave the lid on. Let the dish rest and sit for 15 minutes to complete the cooking process and thicken slightly. Then taste the rice and soy curls, adjusting seasoning with additional bouillon or salt if needed.
- Serve: Serve the vegan chicken and rice topped with extra peas and some freshly ground black pepper or herbs of your choice for brightness. Enjoy your hearty, flavorful meal straight from the slow cooker.
Notes
- OIL-FREE: Substitute full-fat unsweetened coconut milk in place of the vegan butter or olive oil for an oil-free version.
- Rice Preparation: Rinse the dry rice in a fine mesh strainer under cool water to remove excess starch, resulting in better texture when cooked.
- Vegan Chick’n Choice: Use any vegan chicken alternative you prefer. If using a product that does not require rehydration, reduce the water amount by 1/2 to 1 cup accordingly.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure you use gluten-free vegan chick’n and gluten-free bouillon powder.
- Slow Cooker Variability: Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker model, so check for doneness and adjust as needed.
