Description

This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice is a comforting, all-in-one meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts cook slowly with flavorful seasonings, rice, and chicken broth, creating a hearty base. Fresh or frozen broccoli, creamy cheese, and rich heavy cream are stirred in at the end for a luscious, cheesy finish. Easy to prep and hands-off cooking makes this dish ideal for a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Grains

1 cup long-grain white rice

Liquids

2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream or milk

Vegetables

2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets

Seasonings & Spices

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Dairy

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the Crockpot: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the Crockpot and season evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to infuse flavor into the meat as it cooks.
Add Rice and Broth: Sprinkle the rice over the seasoned chicken breasts and pour the chicken broth on top, making sure the rice is fully submerged to ensure even cooking.
Cook: Cover the Crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the rice is tender and fluffy.
Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the Crockpot and shred them using two forks. Then return the shredded chicken back to the Crockpot, mixing it gently with the rice and broth.
Add Broccoli and Cheese: Stir in the broccoli florets, heavy cream or milk, and shredded cheddar cheese into the Crockpot mixture until everything is well combined.
Final Cooking: Cover and continue to cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes, allowing the broccoli to become tender and the cheese to melt completely.
Serve: Stir the cheesy chicken broccoli rice thoroughly, serve warm, and optionally garnish with extra shredded cheese if desired for an extra cheesy finish.

Notes

You can substitute heavy cream with milk for a lighter version; whole milk is preferred for best creaminess.
Frozen broccoli works just as well—no need to thaw before adding.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on the saltiness of your chicken broth.
For gluten-free, verify that your chicken broth and seasonings contain no gluten.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.