Heavenly Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Recipe

Whipping up a comforting crockpot cheesy chicken broccoli rice can solve your weeknight dinner dilemma in one delicious swoop.

Busy households need simple meals that satisfy everyone at the table.

Melted cheese and tender chicken create a magical combination that makes everyone smile.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly in this slow cooker marvel, promising maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Nutritious broccoli adds a green boost to this creamy, satisfying dish.

Perfectly balanced and incredibly easy, this recipe lets you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying.

Come join the culinary adventure and watch your family request seconds!

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice: Why It’s So Easy To Love

Whip Up Comfort Quickly: This crockpot recipe delivers hassle-free weeknight dinner magic with minimal prep time.

Minimal Ingredient Effort: Only a handful of affordable, easily accessible ingredients make this dish budget-friendly and simple to assemble.

Family-Pleasing Nutrition: Packed with protein from chicken, fiber from broccoli, and satisfying carbs from rice, this one-pot meal ensures balanced eating without complicated cooking techniques.

Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for busy parents, meal preppers, and anyone craving a hearty dinner that requires zero complex culinary skills – just toss ingredients and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Broccoli Rice Chicken Crockpot Combo

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides a hearty base for the casserole, best when fresh and boneless.
• Broccoli: Adds nutritious green color and crisp texture, frozen or fresh works well.

• Long Grain White Rice: Creates a fluffy base for the dish, provides comfort food texture.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Helps bind ingredients and adds creamy richness.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and adds tangy flavor, shredded sharp cheddar recommended.
• Sour Cream: Brings extra creaminess and slight tanginess to the dish.
• Garlic Powder: Adds background depth of flavor without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle savory undertone to the casserole.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Classic seasonings for balancing overall taste.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and enhances chicken flavor throughout the dish.

Method for Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Dice the chicken into bite-sized chunks.

Season with salt and pepper.

The chicken will become tender and flavorful as it slow cooks in the crockpot.

Step 2: Chop Broccoli and Vegetables

Cut fresh broccoli into small florets.

Dice onions and mince garlic for extra depth of flavor.

These vegetables will add wonderful texture and nutrition to the dish.

Step 3: Layer Ingredients in Crockpot

Place diced chicken at the bottom of the crockpot.

• Chopped broccoli
• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Uncooked rice
• Cream of chicken soup
• Chicken broth

Step 4: Mix and Combine Liquids

Pour chicken broth and cream of chicken soup over the ingredients.

Stir gently to ensure everything is evenly coated and distributed throughout the crockpot.

Step 5: Set Crockpot Cooking Time

Cover the crockpot and set to low heat.

Cook for 4-6 hours until chicken is fully cooked and rice is tender.

The slow cooking process will help develop rich, comforting flavors.

Step 6: Add Cheese and Finish

In the last 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Let the cheese melt completely, creating a gooey, delicious topping.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the cheesy chicken broccoli rice into bowls.

Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

This one-pot meal is perfect for a hearty family dinner.

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice in the Crockpot With Handy Ideas

• Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping, ensuring a fluffy texture in your final dish.
• Swap chicken with turkey, tofu, or rotisserie chicken for a quick variation that suits different dietary preferences and time constraints.
• Add shredded cheese during the last 15-30 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a creamy, smooth consistency.
• Mix in extra vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add more color and flavor to the casserole.
• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and avoid overcooking by checking internal temperature, ensuring tender and juicy meat throughout the dish.

Reheat Chicken Broccoli Rice Gently From Crockpot

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled portions to freezer-safe containers, where they'll maintain quality for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain the creamy texture of the dish.

Flavor Matches for Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice

• Complement Creamy Comfort: Pair this hearty dish with a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay that cuts through the richness and refreshes the palate.
• Balance Richness with Brightness: Serve a light, citrusy arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to contrast the cheesy, creamy chicken rice.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Add crusty garlic bread or toasted sourdough on the side to provide a crunchy counterpoint to the soft, creamy casserole.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives to introduce a pop of color and bright, fresh flavor that lifts the entire dish.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice from the Crockpot with Comforting Swaps

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a wheat-free alternative that maintains the creamy texture and nutritional value.
• Vegetarian Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep the rich flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Version: Use riced cauliflower instead of traditional rice, and select low-fat cheese to reduce overall carbohydrate and calorie content while preserving the comforting essence of the dish.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Incorporate coconut milk or cashew cream as a cheese replacement, adding nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without traditional dairy ingredients.

FAQs

• What type of rice works best for this recipe?

Long-grain white rice is ideal as it cooks evenly and absorbs flavors well in the crockpot without becoming mushy.

• Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen broccoli works perfectly. Just add it directly to the crockpot without thawing to prevent overcooking and maintain its texture.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and check that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• How can I make this dish more protein-rich?

Add extra chicken breasts or substitute some of the chicken with diced ham or cooked bacon to increase the protein content and add more flavor to the dish.

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty crockpot cheesy chicken broccoli rice brings comfort and flavor to weeknight dinners. Creamy, cheesy goodness with tender chicken and nutritious broccoli creates a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• 1 pound chicken thighs

Vegetables and Grains:

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Prepare your slow cooker by lightly greasing the interior with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Layer uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the crockpot, creating a uniform base for the dish.
3. Add raw chicken breasts directly on top of the rice layer, ensuring they are spread out for even cooking.
4. Sprinkle chopped broccoli florets around and between the chicken pieces, distributing them throughout the cooking surface.
5. Pour condensed cream of chicken soup and water over the ingredients, making sure to cover most of the rice and chicken.
6. Season the mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, distributing the spices evenly across the surface.
7. Cover the crockpot and set to low heat, allowing the ingredients to simmer and meld together for approximately 4-5 hours.
8. Verify chicken is thoroughly cooked by checking its internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
9. Shred the chicken using two forks, breaking it into tender, bite-sized pieces directly in the crockpot.
10. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and integrated into the creamy rice mixture.
11. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to further develop.
12. Serve hot, garnishing with optional fresh chopped parsley for added color and subtle herb flavor.

Notes

• Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping, ensuring a fluffy texture in the final dish.
• Choose low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels, making the recipe more diet-friendly and heart-healthy.
• Swap white rice with brown rice or quinoa for added nutrition and a more complex, nutty flavor profile that complements the creamy cheese sauce.
• Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra depth of flavor, cutting down on preparation steps while maintaining delicious results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg