Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner is a comforting, creamy, and better-than-takeout meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes of prep time. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it from drying out is to add the chicken and broccoli at the right time. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy High Protein Berry Cottage Cheese Bowl for Quick Breakfast and Easy Sausage Gravy Enchiladas for a Cozy Dinner.
Why This Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, comforting, and better than takeout
- Easy 30-minute prep time
- One-pot convenience for busy weeknights
- Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly
What You'll Need for Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- broccoli florets
- long grain white rice
- chicken broth
- cream of chicken soup
- shredded cheddar cheese
- milk
- salt
- black pepper
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- Optional: additional shredded cheese
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken broth: You can use low-sodium or regular chicken broth, or even swap it with vegetable broth for a lighter version.
- cream of chicken soup: For a healthier option, you can use a homemade cream of chicken soup or substitute it with a mixture of Greek yogurt, flour, and chicken broth.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Ensures even cooking and convenience → See on Amazon
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Prevents overcooking and ensures food safety → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Step 1: Combine rice, chicken broth, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours.
- Step 2: Add chicken breasts, broccoli florets, cream of chicken soup, and milk to the slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on high for an additional 1 hour.
- Step 3: Remove the lid and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Adding the chicken and broccoli too early can lead to overcooking and drying out. Make sure to add them at the right time for perfectly cooked chicken and tender broccoli.
- Time-saving tip: You can prepare the ingredients and assemble the slow cooker insert the night before. In the morning, just turn it on and let it cook while you're at work.
- Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and kept warm in the slow cooker on the 'warm' setting for up to 2 hours.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of milk and substitute the cream of chicken soup with a mixture of Greek yogurt, flour, and chicken broth.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dish seems too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of milk or chicken broth. If it's too thin, you can thicken it by cooking it uncovered on the stovetop over medium heat until it reaches your desired consistency.
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Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- broccoli florets
- long grain white rice
- chicken broth
- cream of chicken soup
- shredded cheddar cheese
- milk
- salt
- black pepper
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
Optional Toppings
- additional shredded cheese
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine rice, chicken broth, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours.
- Step 2: Add chicken breasts, broccoli florets, cream of chicken soup, and milk to the slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on high for an additional 1 hour.
- Step 3: Remove the lid and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of milk and substitute the cream of chicken soup with a mixture of Greek yogurt, flour, and chicken broth.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dish seems too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of milk or chicken broth. If it's too thin, you can thicken it by cooking it uncovered on the stovetop over medium heat until it reaches your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and kept warm in the slow cooker on the 'warm' setting for up to 2 hours.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients and assemble the slow cooker insert the night before. In the morning, just turn it on and let it cook while you're at work.
Adding the chicken and broccoli too early can lead to overcooking and drying out. Make sure to add them at the right time for perfectly cooked chicken and tender broccoli.
Yes, this dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
You can use low-sodium or regular chicken broth, or even swap it with vegetable broth for a lighter version. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of milk and substitute the cream of chicken soup with a mixture of Greek yogurt, flour, and chicken broth.
Yes, you can make this dish in the Instant Pot by cooking the rice first, then adding the chicken, broccoli, and other ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes, followed by a natural release.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
