Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Easy cheesy broccoli chicken and rice crockpot dinner is the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamy, cheesy sauce that makes this dish irresistible. The trick I discovered is using Greek yogurt for a healthier, creamier sauce. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cozy Moroccan Sweet Potato and Chickpea Soup Recipe and Easy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes.
Why This Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's healthier than traditional
- Easy prep and clean-up with the crockpot
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.
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- frozen broccoli florets
- long grain white rice
- chicken broth
- Greek yogurt
- shredded cheddar cheese
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried parsley
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Greek yogurt: Sour cream or full-fat canned coconut milk can be used as a substitute.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Hands-off cooking for easy, delicious meals → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with frozen broccoli florets and uncooked rice.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, Greek yogurt, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley. Pour mixture over chicken, broccoli, and rice.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken or it will become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the crockpot 30 minutes before serving.
- Tip: To make this recipe spicy, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning mixture.
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 and frozen or refrigerated before serving.
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 a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, cut the chicken breasts into smaller pieces before adding to the crockpot.
- Best substitution: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender result.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients the night before and store in the fridge. Add to the crockpot in the morning and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the crockpot. Cook on high for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
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Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Crockpot Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- frozen broccoli florets
- long grain white rice
- chicken broth
- Greek yogurt
- shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried parsley
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with frozen broccoli florets and uncooked rice.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, Greek yogurt, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley. Pour mixture over chicken, broccoli, and rice.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, cut the chicken breasts into smaller pieces before adding to the crockpot.
- Best substitution: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender result.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients the night before and store in the fridge. Add to the crockpot in the morning and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the crockpot. Cook on high for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
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 a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and frozen or refrigerated before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
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 prepare the ingredients the night before and store in the fridge. Add to the crockpot in the morning and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) and no more.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
No, this recipe is best suited for the crockpot. The air fryer is not designed for slow cooking.
Sour cream or full-fat canned coconut milk can be used as a substitute.
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!
