Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout
Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – A comforting, creamy, and cheesy one-pot meal that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it from drying out. The result is a cozy, family-favorite dinner that’s ready in just a few hours. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries and Post-Workout Taco Salad Bowl – 32g Protein.
Why This Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- One-pot meal for easy cleanup
- Creamy and cheesy chicken and broccoli
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout taste
What You'll Need for Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout
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
- milk
- shredded cheddar cheese
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried parsley
- dried thyme
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken broth: You can substitute chicken broth with chicken bouillon and water.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Ensures even cooking and perfect results every time → See on Amazon
- Instant Pot — Saves time by cooking this dish in half the time → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with broccoli florets and rice.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and dried thyme. Pour over the chicken and broccoli.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken or it will become dry. If you're using frozen chicken breasts, add an extra hour to the cooking time.
- Pro tip: For a creamier sauce, use evaporated milk instead of regular milk.
- Pro tip: Add some diced bell peppers or onions to the crockpot for extra flavor and color.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and frozen or refrigerated before cooking.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of cream of chicken soup.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts with chicken thighs for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare this dish up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the crockpot. Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
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Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- broccoli florets
- long grain white rice
- chicken broth
- cream of chicken soup
- milk
- shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried parsley
- dried thyme
Optional Toppings
- crushed red pepper flakes
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with broccoli florets and rice.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and dried thyme. Pour over the chicken and broccoli.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of cream of chicken soup.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts with chicken thighs for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare this dish up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the crockpot. Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen or refrigerated before cooking.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can prepare this dish up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before cooking.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Make sure to cook the chicken for the recommended time and not a minute longer.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions of this dish for up to 2 months.
No, this recipe is best made in the crockpot. The air fryer is not suitable for cooking this dish.
You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a mixture of Greek yogurt, chicken broth, and cornstarch.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice – Better Than Takeout 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!
