Description
This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice is a comforting and hearty slow cooker casserole that combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, fresh broccoli, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this easy-to-make recipe delivers rich flavors and creamy textures with minimal effort, making it an ideal meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Grains
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
Spices
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Spray the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Add Ingredients: Place the chicken breasts, chopped onion, minced garlic, rinsed rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the rice is fully submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the rice is tender and fluffy.
- Shred Chicken: About 30 minutes before serving, use two forks to shred the chicken breasts directly in the crockpot. Stir the shredded chicken back into the mixture to evenly distribute the meat.
- Add Broccoli and Cheese: Add the chopped broccoli florets, shredded cheddar cheese, and milk. Stir everything together until the cheese melts and the broccoli begins to soften but remains vibrant and just tender.
- Final Cook: Cover and cook for the remaining 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the broccoli to finish cooking.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- If using frozen broccoli, add it during the last 15 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking and mushy texture.
- You can substitute brown rice for white rice; however, increase the cooking time by 1–2 hours and add an extra 1/2 cup of chicken broth to ensure proper cooking.
- For an extra creamy version, stir in 2 ounces of cream cheese along with the cheddar cheese in the last steps.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and cream of chicken soup to control the sodium content.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
