Rick Sanchez from Adult Swim's Rick and Morty is a highly independent individual who can practically become an omnipotent god if he wanted. For a person like that, friends are usually an afterthought. Hence, Rick usually doesn't really have someone whom he doesn't keep around for utilitarian reasons. Such is the life of a lonely pretentious genius like him.
Some of Rick and Morty's most recent episodes, however, have shed more light on Rick's capacity to actually form lasting bonds. Moments such as those displayed in Season 5, Episode 8 are rare in the series and can prompt the viewers and fans to re-evaluate what they know of Rick. As such, it's high time to tally up his friend count which, thankfully, can be counted with more than one hand.
10 Birdperson
That long-time friend Rick just couldn't lose happens to be Birdperson or in the past, Phoenix-person. Season 5's Episode 8 finally answered the looming question of how Rick actually managed to become friends with someone as dry or as humorless as Birdperson.
Turns out they're war junkie buddies and that both of them were self-centered individuals. With that said, both also grew up into different kinds of people along the road especially once Birdperson found out that he has a daughter. Rick even went out on a limb to bring back one of his few and dear friends, putting off a family outing just to make time for Birdperson.
9 Morty
Throughout the series, Morty's relationship with Rick can be a vague status. Sometimes he treats his grandson as a tool, other times, he genuinely cares about Morty. Not much has changed about their dynamics and interactions despite either of them finding out how the other feels.
There's no doubt Rick would sacrifice his own life for Morty though as he has done so at least a couple of times in the series. The most notable one was during Season 2, Episode 1 where Rick gave his one chance of survival and escape to Morty.
8 Summer
Of course, Rick's fondness and preference for Morty are sometimes situational as the old scientist would opt to take Summer to his adventures instead. Right now, it seems Rick enjoys Summer's company as much as he does Morty's and she has been more present in the recent episodes.
Sadly, that doesn't mean Summer isn't insulated from Rick's utilitarian treatment of his grandchildren. At times, Rick even brings Summer along just to use her a pass of some sort. That doesn't matter much as the two's relationship has as much chemistry as Rick with Morty.
7 Gearhead
Gearhead, otherwise more formally known as Revolio Clockberg, Jr. is also a recurring figure in Rick's life much like Birdperson. This odd mechanical creature, however, seems a lot less dear to Rick and it seems Gearhead has no qualms about betraying or selling Rick to the authorities.
That doesn't stop Rick from recalling some fond memories with Gearhead. He was even welcome in some of Rick's biggest parties such as the one in Season 1, Episode 11. Rick also still holds fond memories of Gearhead especially since he fought with him during one of their "freedom fighter" days.
6 Squanchy
If fans thought Rick's friendship with Birdperson looked terribly out-of-character, then they might want to look at Squanchy. He's one of Rick's weirdest and most destructive friends; Squanchy is best-known for his obsession with "squanching", and would behave inappropriately in the Smith family garage.
Well, perhaps it's not that questionable why Rick keeps Squanchy around. The mangled cat who appears to have substance abuse problems can cause quite a ruckus during parties—the kind that Rick loves to cause. Oh, apparently Squanchy was also a freedom fighter during Rick and Birdperson's warmongering days.
5 Unity
While Rick is among the most toxic characters in Rick and Morty, that doesn't mean he's incapable of love or committed relationships. A case in point is his ex-lover, Unity, a hive-mind that's probably a formless consciousness. The two of them go a long way and their relationship was serious.
Hence, it's safe to assume that Rick considers Unity as a close friend and even confidante, one that he'll probably stick with if only Unity didn't end the relationship abruptly. In fact, Rick was so devastated during their breakup that it almost led to his ending his own life.
4 Dr. Xenon Bloom
By now, it's probably apparent what kind of friends Rick prefers. It's either the wild ones, the powerful ones, or the smart ones with a bit of mad genius in them. While Dr. Xenon Bloom of Season 1, Episode 3 isn't really physically powerful or mentally disturbed as most of Rick's compatriots, he was an ambitious genius.
Dr. Bloom made a theme park inside a person's guts and that alone bought him a one-way friendship ticket with Rick. Rick does seem to respect him and both of them have their own odd quirks and narcissistic tendencies. After all, Dr. Bloom was a parody of Dr. John Hammond from the first Jurassic Park.
3 Mr. Poopybutthole
This character's introduction came in a weird dreamlike episode so it's understandable if fans still question his existence. According to Rick and Jerry, Mr. Poopybutthole is a longtime family friend of the Smiths. Not much was revealed about his background but he and Rick go way back.
Mr. Poopybutthole is also a powerful and respectable character who can probably take Rick on a hand-to-hand fight. That's likely one of the reasons why Rick always has Mr. Poopybutthole on speed dial for when he has some delicate and professional-intensive missions or activities.
2 Jaguar
Rick and Morty has this trope of introducing some initially one-time characters who are just there for the cool factor or a humorous lack of context. One of those is Jaguar, another professional who's about as skillful and capable as Rick when it comes to murder.
Jaguar was dominantly present during the Pickle Rick episode where he helps Rick in evading a stick situation. Granted, Jaguar's a bit of a Mary Sue— invincible and skillful beyond context but without him, Rick and even Morty would have died long ago.
1 President Obama
The showrunners could have easily made the series about President Obama and Rick's adventures and it would still be as entertaining. Their relationship is highly turbulent as Rick keeps trying to cut corners with the government's policies. Meanwhile, President Obama is constantly trying to fix Rick's mistakes.
The tension between the two and their mutually beneficial relationship finally exploded like an overstuffed turkey in Season 5, Episode 6. It was their most intense fallout yet but in the end, they decided to repair their cracked acquaintanceship until it blossomed into mutual respect and friendship. At least until Rick messes up Earth again.