Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Rice & Chicken

Welcome to a delightful culinary journey with our Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Rice & Chicken recipe! If you’re searching for a meal that’s not only easy to prepare but also bursting with flavor, you’ve landed in the right place. This recipe combines tender chicken breasts, wholesome brown rice, fresh or frozen broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce that melds together beautifully in your slow cooker. It’s a one-pot wonder that requires minimal effort and minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. All you need to do is set it and forget it while your slow cooker does the magic. Gather your ingredients, and let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Rice & Chicken. Here are just a few that might convince you to give it a try:

• Effortless Preparation: With just a few simple steps, you can have a hearty meal cooking away while you focus on other tasks. Perfect for multitasking parents or anyone with a busy lifestyle!
• Healthy and Nutritious: This dish incorporates lean chicken, nutritious broccoli, and whole grain brown rice, ensuring a balanced meal that’s good for you.
• Cheesy Goodness: The addition of cheddar cheese elevates the dish to a whole new level of comfort food, making it a hit with both kids and adults alike.
• Customizable: Feel free to modify the recipe based on what you have on hand. You can add other vegetables or swap out the cheese to suit your taste preferences.
• Leftovers Galore: This recipe makes enough to serve a crowd, and it’s even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Perfect for meal prep!

Why You Should Try This Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that checks all the boxes for convenience, nutrition, and flavor, our Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Rice & Chicken is the answer. Here’s why it stands out:

• Time-Saving: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Set it in the morning and come home to a ready-to-eat dinner.
• Kid-Friendly: The cheesy flavor and tender chicken make this dish appealing for even the pickiest eaters. Your kids won’t even realize they’re eating vegetables!
• Minimal Ingredients: This recipe uses everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. No need for fancy or hard-to-find items!
• Comforting and Satisfying: There’s something incredibly comforting about a cheesy rice dish. It warms you up from the inside out, making it ideal for chilly evenings.
• Versatile: Serve it as a main dish or as a side, and pair it with your favorite salad or bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients and Necessary Utensils

Let’s gather everything you need for this delicious recipe. Below is a detailed list of ingredients along with recommended utensils for a successful cooking experience.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cream of chicken soup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Optional: chopped green onions for garnish

Recommended Utensils

• Slow Cooker
• Cooking Spray or Oil (for greasing the slow cooker)
• Mixing Bowl (for combining liquids and seasonings)
• Two Forks (for shredding chicken)
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Serving Spoon or Ladle

Having the right tools on hand will make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. Now let’s move on to the detailed recipe steps!

Detailed Recipe Steps

Creating your own Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Rice & Chicken is a breeze with these detailed steps:

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Start by spraying the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or lightly greasing it with oil. This prevents the ingredients from sticking and makes for easier cleanup.
2. Layer the Ingredients: Place 1 cup of uncooked brown rice at the bottom of the slow cooker. This will serve as the base of your dish. Next, lay the chicken breasts on top of the rice. This layering helps the chicken impart its flavor into the rice as it cooks.
3. Add Liquids and Seasonings: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 cup of cream of chicken soup, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of onion powder, 1/2 tsp of black pepper, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of paprika. Stir until well mixed, then pour this mixture over the chicken and rice evenly.
4. Add Broccoli: Gently place 1 cup of broccoli florets on top of the chicken and rice mixture. Press down slightly to submerge them in the liquid. This ensures that the broccoli cooks thoroughly and absorbs the flavors.
5. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and the rice tender. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking, as this can affect the cooking time.
6. Shred Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, mixing it with the rice and broccoli.
7. Add Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and is well combined with the other ingredients. This cheesy layer adds a creamy texture that elevates the dish even further.
8. Serve: Spoon the cheesy broccoli rice and chicken into bowls. If desired, garnish with chopped green onions for an added touch of flavor and color. Enjoy your meal!

FAQs

Conclusion

In conclusion, our Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Rice & Chicken is not only a delicious and comforting meal, but also an incredibly simple one to prepare. With minimal ingredients and hands-on time, you can create a dish that your family will love and that will provide plenty of leftovers for the week ahead. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below, and if you enjoyed this recipe, feel free to share it with your friends and family!

For more delicious recipes, check out our other favorites like Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup and Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta. Happy cooking!

For more ideas and inspiration, be sure to visit our Pinterest page.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Rice & Chicken

This creamy and cheesy slow cooker dish combines tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and wholesome brown rice for a comforting meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup Uncooked brown rice
• 2 cups Chicken broth
• 1 cup Broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Cream of chicken soup
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• Chopped green onions (optional) for garnish

Equipment

• Slow Cooker
• Mixing bowl

Method

 

Instructions

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. Layer the Ingredients: Place the uncooked brown rice at the bottom of the slow cooker. Lay the chicken breasts on top of the rice.
3. Add Liquids and Seasonings: In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and paprika. Stir until well mixed. Pour this mixture over the chicken and rice.
4. Add Broccoli: Gently place the broccoli florets on top of the chicken and rice mixture, pressing down slightly to submerge them into the liquid.
5. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
6. Shred Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
7. Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
8. Serve: Spoon the cheesy broccoli rice and chicken into bowls. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

Feel free to substitute different vegetables or cheeses according to your preference. This dish is great for leftovers!