Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner – After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the creamiest, cheesiest chicken and rice dinner with no stirring required. The golden, melty cheese and tender chicken will make your family beg for this 20-minute restaurant version. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Pesto Zucchini Corn Quinoa Salad for Quick Dinner and Easy Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip for Game Day.
Why This Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Easy, hands-off cooking in the crockpot
- Creamy, cheesy sauce made with simple ingredients
- Tender chicken and crisp-tender broccoli in every bite
- Perfect for meal prepping and busy weeknights
What You'll Need for Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or a mix of both.
- broccoli: Frozen broccoli florets can be used as a substitute.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Ensures even cooking and perfect results every time → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Prevents overcooking and ensures food safety → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot. Top with uncooked rice, spreading it out evenly.
- Step 2: Sprinkle the dry ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the rice. Pour chicken broth over everything.
- Step 3: Place broccoli florets on top of the rice. Do not stir.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the chicken by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Tip: For a quicker cooking time, you can slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally before placing them in the crockpot.
- Tip: Add a can of cream of chicken soup or a cup of sour cream for an extra creamy sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot 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 recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use brown rice and add more vegetables like carrots or bell peppers.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked, shredded chicken or turkey for a quicker cooking time.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or milk to thin it out.
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Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot. Top with uncooked rice, spreading it out evenly.
- Step 2: Sprinkle the dry ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the rice. Pour chicken broth over everything.
- Step 3: Place broccoli florets on top of the rice. Do not stir.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use brown rice and add more vegetables like carrots or bell peppers.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken with cooked, shredded chicken or turkey for a quicker cooking time.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or milk to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 460
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 13g
- Carbs: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. However, do not add the broccoli until just before cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
The most common reason for a dry dish is overcooking. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through but not overcooked. Additionally, adding a little more chicken broth or milk can help moisten the dish.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
While you can cook the chicken in the air fryer, the rice and broccoli will not cook evenly in an air fryer. This recipe is best suited for the crockpot.
You can substitute the dry ranch dressing mix with 1 tablespoon of dried parsley, 1 teaspoon of dried dill, 1 teaspoon of dried onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot 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!
