Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner is a comforting, creamy meal that’s ready in just 10 minutes of prep. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it from drying out. The warm, cozy aroma of this dish will fill your home and make your family beg for seconds. Start by sautéing the chicken and onions for extra flavor, then add them to the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients. For a fresh twist, serve it with my Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette and Easy Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe Ready in 30 Minutes.
Why This Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to prep and cook in the crockpot
- Creamy, cheesy, and packed with protein
- Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping
- Better than takeout 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
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Long grain white rice
- Onion
- Chicken broth
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Dried thyme
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken broth: You can use low-sodium or regular chicken broth. For a richer flavor, use chicken bone broth.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Cooks food evenly and keeps it warm until serving time. → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature, preventing overcooking and dryness. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Sauté in a pan until browned, then transfer to the crockpot.
- Step 2: Add onion, chicken broth, uncooked rice, broccoli florets, and dried thyme to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, brown the chicken breasts in the crockpot before adding the other ingredients.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken or it will become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: To make this dish even creamier, stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water before adding the cheese.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, use low-fat milk instead of chicken broth and reduce the cheese by half.
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 fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pot meal, cook the rice directly in the crockpot with the other ingredients. Add 1 cup of uncooked rice and increase the chicken broth to 3 cups.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dish is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Crockpot liners — Makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Broccoli florets
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Long grain white rice
- Onion
- Chicken broth
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Dried thyme
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Sauté in a pan until browned, then transfer to the crockpot.
- Step 2: Add onion, chicken broth, uncooked rice, broccoli florets, and dried thyme to the crockpot. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pot meal, cook the rice directly in the crockpot with the other ingredients. Add 1 cup of uncooked rice and increase the chicken broth to 3 cups.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dish is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 470
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
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 make this dish ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) but doesn't go over.
Yes, you can make this dish in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
Yes, you can make this dish in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, with a 10-minute natural release. Stir in the cheese at the end.
Yes, this dish is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to use gluten-free chicken broth and seasonings.
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!
