Some dinners just understand the assignment, and Crockpot Chicken and Rice with Broccoli is one of them. Chicken, creamy rice, broccoli, and plenty of melty cheddar all hanging out in the slow cooker while you go about your day? Yes, please!
It's rich, filling, a little cheesy, and exactly the kind of dinner you want waiting for you when five o'clock rolls around and everyone suddenly wants to know what's for dinner.
What makes this recipe irresistible
There's something about a big spoonful of creamy, cheesy rice that makes everyone suddenly very interested in dinner. 😂 The chicken is tender, the broccoli adds a little freshness, and that melted cheddar pulls everything together.
Even better, every bite has a little bit of everything, so nobody's chasing the good stuff around the plate. This is hearty, satisfying comfort food that earns its spot in the dinner rotation.
Honestly, this is pretty much a meal all by itself, but if there are extra-hungry people at the table, add a batch of Garlic Bread or a simple Garden Salad on the side. Dinner done!
Crockpot Chicken and Rice with Broccoli
Equipment
- 1 6-qt Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 10.5 ounce cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Chicken Seasoning
- 1 ounce packet Italian dressing mix
- 2 cups cheddar cheese divided
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (3-4 chicken breasts depending on size)
- 2 cups frozen broccoli florets
Instructions
- Spray a crockpot with cooking spray or use a crockpot liner.
- Add the rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning mix, and half of the shredded cheese to a crockpot. Mix well to combine.
- Lay the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture and season with Montreal chicken seasoning. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot, add the broccoli florets. Mix well.
- Top everything with the remaining cheddar, cover, and cook on low for 30-45 minutes until the broccoli becomes tender and the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Yes. Substitute about 1½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the chicken breasts. They work especially well in the slow cooker because they stay tender and juicy during the longer cooking time.
Yes, add the long-grain white rice to the slow cooker uncooked. It cooks right along with the chicken and creamy sauce, so there's no need to prepare it separately.
Absolutely. Add fresh broccoli florets at the same point you would add the frozen broccoli. Check them a little earlier since fresh broccoli may become tender more quickly.
I recommend sticking with long-grain white rice for this recipe. Brown rice requires a different amount of liquid and generally takes longer to become tender, so substituting it can change both the cooking time and the consistency of the finished dish.
No. This recipe is developed for uncooked long-grain white rice. Instant rice cooks much more quickly and can become overly soft during the six-hour cooking time.
Deb's top tips
Resist the urge to lift the lid while the chicken and rice cook. Every peek releases heat and steam, which can slow down the cooking process and keep the rice from cooking evenly. Save the grand reveal for the end! 😄
Test kitchen notes
After adding the frozen broccoli, give everything a chance to heat through before deciding the mixture is too thick. The broccoli will release a little moisture as it cooks, which may be all you need. If it's too thick at the end of cooking, just add a splash of chicken stock.
Keep the chicken dinners coming
If easy chicken dinners are always in demand at your house, I have a few more for you! Try my Crockpot Italian Shredded Chicken when you want the slow cooker doing the heavy lifting, or make the Stick of Butter Chicken and Rice for an easy oven-baked dinner.
And don't miss my Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu when ham, chicken, and plenty of cheesy goodness sound like exactly the right answer for dinner.
Save me the last scoop
If this one earns a thumbs-up around your dinner table, be sure to come back and let me know! I love hearing what you changed, what your family thought, and whether anyone went back for seconds. And if you happen to snag the last cheesy spoonful straight from the crockpot before anyone notices? I didn't see a thing. 😄
SHELIA HALL says
this is a great recipe that I make often for church gatherings that is just comfort food in a crockpot!
Julie E says
This sounds delicious!!! Going to try it today. Recipe looks pretty easy and I have all ingredients on hand. Thank you for the dinner idea.
Linda Youngs says
Made this for my hubby who loves chicken & rice. He said it's one of the best he's ever had!!
Linda Youngs says
Made this for my hubby who loves chicken & rice. He said this was one of the best he's ever had!!
Deb Lafond says
What is Italian dressing mix?
Debra Clark says
That's a great question. Thank you for clarifying. It's the dried seasoning mix you use to make salad dressing with Deb. Do not use the premade Italian dressing.
Carol says
This recipe.is calling my name as a great comfort dinner, on a chilly evening or not. Anxious to try soon!!