Description
A comforting and easy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and hearty brown rice all cooked together in a crockpot. This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice dish is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Broth
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups chicken broth
Dairy & Condiments
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (divided)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Vegetables & Grains
- 1 cup long-grain brown rice (or risotto rice, rinsed)
- 1 lb broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces about 1 to 1½ inches in size to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Mix Liquids and Seasonings: In the crockpot, combine chicken broth, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard (if using), dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Add Rice and Chicken: Stir in the rinsed long-grain brown rice into the broth mixture, then add the cut chicken pieces, making sure everything is evenly mixed and submerged.
- Layer Broccoli: Place the broccoli florets on top of the chicken and rice mixture without stirring, to allow them to steam and cook properly.
- Crockpot Cooking: Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked through, rice is tender, and most liquid has been absorbed.
- Add Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese into the cooked mixture until melted and creamy. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover again, and allow the cheese to melt fully for about 15 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Once the cheese topping is melted and bubbly, serve the dish hot. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or freshly ground black pepper for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream adds more protein and reduces fat.
- If you prefer softer broccoli, you can add the florets earlier in the cooking process.
- Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and prevents it from becoming gummy.
- Dijon mustard is optional but adds a nice tangy depth of flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
