Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner is a comforting, creamy, and hearty meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice every time. The creamy, cheesy sauce is irresistible, and the broccoli adds a fresh, crispy texture. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Meal Prep Farro Salad with Roasted Summer Vegetables and Refreshing Strawberry Mint Lemonade Recipe for Summer.
Why This Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's better than takeout
- Tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice every time
- Easy prep and clean-up with the crockpot
- Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
What You'll Need for Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice 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
- Broccoli florets
- Long grain white rice
- Canned cream of chicken soup
- Milk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried thyme
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli florets work well in this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Cooks food evenly and frees up your oven for other dishes. → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Pour over chicken.
- Step 3: Add uncooked rice to the crockpot, spreading it out evenly.
- Step 4: Top with broccoli florets.
- Step 5: 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.
- Step 6: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It can become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For even cooking, cut chicken breasts in half horizontally before adding to the crockpot.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe in the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice 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 frozen for up to 3 months.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°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 a lighter version, use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade cream sauce made from butter, flour, and milk.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still crunchy, add a little more liquid and cook for a longer period of time.
Want to level up this recipe?
Crockpot liner — Makes clean-up a breeze and prevents stuck-on food. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Broccoli florets
- Long grain white rice
- Canned cream of chicken soup
- Milk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried thyme
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Pour over chicken.
- Step 3: Add uncooked rice to the crockpot, spreading it out evenly.
- Step 4: Top with broccoli florets.
- Step 5: 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.
- Step 6: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade cream sauce made from butter, flour, and milk.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still crunchy, add a little more liquid and cook for a longer period of time.
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 in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°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 frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 11g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) but not much more.
Yes, you can make this recipe in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade cream sauce made from butter, flour, and milk.
Use a crockpot liner or spray the crockpot with cooking spray before adding the ingredients.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice 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!
