Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy meal ready in just 30 minutes of prep. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it creamy and preventing it from drying out. The rich, cheesy sauce and tender chicken will make your kitchen smell cozy and inviting. Try it with my Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Grilled Cheese for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Grilled Cheese and Refreshing Keto Hibiscus Lime Sparkling Water.
Why This Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, cheesy sauce
- Tender, flavorful chicken
- One-pot, easy cleanup
- Better than takeout
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.
- chicken breasts
- broccoli florets
- sharp cheddar cheese
- uncooked long grain white rice
- chicken broth
- cream of chicken soup
- milk
- onion soup mix
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: shredded cheddar cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Hands-off cooking, perfect for busy nights → See on Amazon
- Instant-read thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with broccoli florets.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, onion soup mix, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour over chicken and broccoli.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. One hour before serving, add uncooked rice to the crockpot. Stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Once done, remove chicken from crockpot and shred. Stir in shredded chicken and sharp cheddar cheese until melted. Serve hot, topped with chopped fresh parsley and shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. Remove it from the crockpot once it reaches 165°F (74°C) to prevent it from drying out.
- Pro tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the crockpot 30 minutes before serving.
- Pro tip: Make it a complete meal by adding some frozen mixed vegetables to the crockpot along with the broccoli.
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 for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken and broccoli mixture up to 24 hours ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Freeze 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. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add some diced jalapeños to the crockpot.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender result.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
- 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 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the crockpot. If it's too thick, add a little more milk or chicken broth.
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Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- broccoli florets
- sharp cheddar cheese
- uncooked long grain white rice
Seasonings
- chicken broth
- cream of chicken soup
- milk
- onion soup mix
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
Optional Toppings
- chopped fresh parsley
- shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with broccoli florets.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, onion soup mix, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour over chicken and broccoli.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. One hour before serving, add uncooked rice to the crockpot. Stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Once done, remove chicken from crockpot and shred. Stir in shredded chicken and sharp cheddar cheese until melted. Serve hot, topped with chopped fresh parsley and shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add some diced jalapeños to the crockpot.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender result.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
- 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 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the crockpot. If it's too thick, add a little more milk or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze 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.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken and broccoli mixture up to 24 hours ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
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 prepare the chicken and broccoli mixture up to 24 hours ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Remove it from the crockpot once it reaches 165°F (74°C) to prevent it from drying out.
Yes, you can freeze this for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, this recipe can be made in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. However, always check the labels of your ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
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!
