Why Make This Recipe
Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice is a perfect dinner option for busy families. With minimal prep time, you can set your crockpot in the morning and come home to a warm, hearty meal. This dish combines tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and creamy cheese for a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy. Plus, it’s a one-pot dish, making cleanup a breeze!
How to Make Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Add the broccoli florets and cooked rice on top.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
- Serve hot and enjoy your comforting meal!
How to Serve Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
Serve this delicious dish straight from the crockpot for a family-style meal. You can garnish it with extra cheddar cheese, black pepper, or fresh herbs if you like. It pairs well with a side salad or some crusty bread for a complete dinner.
How to Store Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
If you have leftovers, let the dish cool down and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last for about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Tips to Make Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
- For a creamier texture, use more cheddar cheese when stirring before serving.
- You can use frozen broccoli instead of fresh; just add it in the last hour of cooking.
- Adjust the spices to your taste; adding some paprika or Italian seasoning can enhance the flavor.
MEAL PREP & MAKE-AHEAD IDEAS
EASY CROCKPOT CHEESY CHICKEN BROCCOLI RICE IS ALSO A GREAT RECIPE FOR MEAL PREP. YOU CAN ASSEMBLE EVERYTHING IN THE CROCKPOT INSERT THE NIGHT BEFORE (CHICKEN, SAUCE MIXTURE, AND BROCCOLI), COVER IT, AND STORE IT IN THE FRIDGE. IN THE MORNING, JUST PLACE THE INSERT BACK IN THE CROCKPOT, TURN IT ON, AND LET IT COOK WHILE YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAY. YOU CAN ALSO COOK A BIG BATCH AND PORTION IT INTO INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS FOR LUNCHES DURING THE WEEK. IT REHEATS WELL AND STAYS CREAMY, MAKING IT A RELIABLE, BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION FOR BUSY FAMILIES.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe. Swap out the chicken for turkey or add in other veggies like carrots or bell peppers. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with cooked chickpeas or a meat substitute.
FAQs
CAN I USE BROWN RICE INSTEAD OF WHITE RICE?
YES, YOU CAN USE BROWN RICE, BUT THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND. BROWN RICE TAKES LONGER TO COOK AND ABSORBS MORE LIQUID THAN WHITE RICE. IF YOU ARE USING COOKED BROWN RICE (LIKE IN THE ORIGINAL RECIPE WITH COOKED WHITE RICE), YOU CAN SWAP IT 1:1 WITH NO PROBLEM. JUST MAKE SURE IT’S FULLY COOKED BEFORE ADDING IT TO THE CROCKPOT. IF YOU WANT TO COOK THE BROWN RICE FROM RAW IN THE CROCKPOT, YOU’LL NEED EXTRA LIQUID AND MORE TIME, WHICH CAN OVERCOOK THE CHICKEN, SO IT’S USUALLY BETTER TO COOK IT SEPARATELY AND STIR IT IN AT THE END.
CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE WITHOUT A CROCKPOT?
YES! YOU CAN DEFINITELY MAKE THIS RECIPE ON THE STOVE IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CROCKPOT. PLACE THE CHICKEN, CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP, CHICKEN BROTH, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, AND PEPPER IN A LARGE POT OR DEEP SKILLET. SIMMER GENTLY OVER LOW TO MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL THE CHICKEN IS COOKED THROUGH, THEN SHRED OR DICE THE CHICKEN IN THE POT. ADD THE BROCCOLI AND LET IT COOK UNTIL TENDER. FINALLY, STIR IN THE COOKED RICE AND CHEDDAR CHEESE UNTIL EVERYTHING IS MELTED, CREAMY, AND WELL COMBINED. ADJUST THE THICKNESS WITH A SPLASH OF EXTRA BROTH OR MILK IF NEEDED.
IS IT OKAY TO FREEZE LEFTOVERS?
YES, YOU CAN FREEZE LEFTOVERS, AND THIS RECIPE FREEZES FAIRLY WELL. LET THE DISH COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE TRANSFERRING IT TO A FREEZER-SAFE CONTAINER OR ZIP-TOP BAG. TRY TO FLATTEN IT IN THE BAG SO IT FREEZES AND THAWS EVENLY. IT CAN BE FROZEN FOR UP TO 2–3 MONTHS. WHEN YOU’RE READY TO EAT IT, THAW IT OVERNIGHT IN THE REFRIGERATOR AND REHEAT GENTLY IN THE MICROWAVE OR ON THE STOVETOP WITH A SPLASH OF BROTH OR MILK TO BRING BACK THE CREAMY TEXTURE. IF THE SAUCE LOOKS A LITTLE THICK AFTER FREEZING, JUST STIR WELL WHILE REHEATING UNTIL IT’S SMOOTH AGAIN.
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups broccoli florets Fresh or frozen
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Add more for creaminess
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Add the broccoli florets and cooked rice on top.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.