Giada’s Slow-Cooker Saffron Rice with Chicken Sausage is one of those dishes that feels like home—warm, fragrant, and full of love. The saffron threads make the rice golden and aromatic, while the juicy sausages and sweet cherry tomatoes add layers of flavor that are hard to resist.

This is a dish that works for almost any occasion—cozy family dinners, lazy weekends, or even a potluck with friends. Serve it straight from the slow cooker for a no-fuss meal, and don’t forget to sprinkle on extra parsley for a bright, fresh finish. It’s comfort food made simple!

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 Italian-style chicken sausages, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup of bomba rice or any other short-grain rice
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 16 yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
• ½ cup of frozen peas, thawed
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons of dry vermouth
• 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
• ¼ teaspoon of saffron threads, lightly crushed
• ¼ pound of green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika (sweet or hot, based on preference)
• 2 tablespoons of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

How To Make Giada Slow-Cooker Saffron Rice with Chicken Sausage

1. Heat the Olive Oil: Warm the olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat for about 1 minute.
2. Cook the Sausage: Add the chicken sausage to the pan and cook until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes.
3. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the cooked sausage into the slow cooker along with the rice, onion, celery, garlic, tomatoes, bell pepper, peas, and green beans.
4. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the vermouth and chicken broth, then sprinkle with the kosher salt and crushed saffron threads. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
5. Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 4 hours, ensuring the rice and vegetables become tender.
6. Finish and Serve: Uncover the slow cooker, sprinkle with smoked paprika and parsley, then serve the dish warm.

Recipe Tips

• Add a smoky depth: If you love extra smoky flavors, use hot smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika to give the dish a bold and rich flavor profile.
• Boost the veggies: Add diced zucchini or mushrooms during the last hour of cooking for more texture and a nutrient-packed boost to your saffron rice dish.
• Experiment with grains: If you don’t have bomba rice, substitute with Arborio or another short-grain rice, but avoid long-grain rice as it won’t absorb the flavors as well.
• Wine-free alternative: Replace the dry vermouth with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice diluted with water for a non-alcoholic option that maintains the tangy taste.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Recipes:

• Giada Asian Sesame Chicken Wings
• Giada Chicken Milanese
• Giada Grilled Chicken Involtini