Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner is a comforting, hearty meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it from drying out. The creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken will make your whole family beg for seconds. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Mexican Street Corn Fritters with Spicy Lime Sauce and Fresh Mango Shrimp Summer Rolls with Tangy Dipping Sauce.
Why This Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's out of this world
- Tender, flavorful chicken that's cooked to perfection
- One-pot meal that's easy to clean up
- Perfect for meal prepping and leftovers
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 broccoli florets
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch dressing mix
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs or a combination of both.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Cooks food evenly and keeps it warm until serving time. → See on Amazon
- Meat Tenderizer — Ensures tender, juicy chicken every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Step 2: Add broccoli florets and uncooked rice to the crockpot.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix together condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, and ranch dressing mix. Pour over the chicken, broccoli, and rice.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
- : For extra flavor, brown the chicken breasts in a pan before adding them to the crockpot.
- Common mistake and fix: If the chicken is still frozen in the middle, cook it on high for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- : To prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the crockpot, spray the bottom with non-stick cooking spray before adding the ingredients.
- : For a healthier version, use low-sodium chicken broth instead of milk and add some diced bell peppers and onions to the crockpot.
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 fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Freezing Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Freeze individual portions 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, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add some diced bacon or ham to the crockpot before cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk or chicken broth to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
Crockpot Liners — Makes cleanup a breeze and prevents food from sticking to the crockpot. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch dressing mix
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Step 2: Add broccoli florets and uncooked rice to the crockpot.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix together condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, and ranch dressing mix. Pour over the chicken, broccoli, and rice.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add some diced bacon or ham to the crockpot before cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk or chicken broth to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions 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, until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 580
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
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 make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
If the chicken is still frozen in the middle, cook it on high for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
No, this recipe is best made in the crockpot. The air fryer is not suitable for cooking this type of dish.
You can substitute the ranch dressing mix for a packet of dry onion soup mix or a homemade ranch seasoning blend.
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!
