Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice

Cheesy chicken, broccoli, and rice is one of those dinners that feels like it came straight out of a comfort food playbook.

Chicken breasts slow cook in cream of chicken soup, broth, and a good round of seasonings until they are tender enough to shred right in the crockpot. Once the chicken is pulled apart, broccoli cheddar rice and frozen broccoli get stirred in so everything thickens up into a creamy, cheesy, filling meal.

The shredded cheddar at the end melts straight into the rice and chicken, turning the whole crockpot into a rich casserole-style dinner without needing to turn on the oven. It is simple, cozy, and loaded with the kind of flavors that make people go back for seconds.

Great for busy nights, family dinners, or anytime you want chicken, broccoli, rice, and cheese all packed into one easy slow cooker recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Creamy cheesy comfort food made right in the crockpot.
  • Uses simple ingredients like chicken, broccoli, rice, soup, broth, and cheddar.
  • Perfect easy dinner for busy nights.
  • The broccoli cheddar rice thickens everything into a casserole-style meal.
  • Family-friendly, filling, and loaded with flavor.

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.

Ingredients

The base of this recipe starts with boneless skinless chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and a blend of garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning. The chicken cooks until tender, then gets shredded directly into the creamy broth.

Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Rice and frozen broccoli florets are added after the chicken is shredded so they can cook into the sauce and thicken everything up. A full bag of shredded cheddar cheese finishes the dish and makes it creamy, cheesy, and ready to serve.
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Garlic salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Garlic powder, to taste
  • Onion powder, to taste
  • Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning, to taste
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 (5.9 oz) packets Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Rice
  • 1 (12 oz) bag frozen broccoli florets
  • 1 (8 oz) bag shredded cheddar cheese

How To Make Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice

Step 1: Add and Season Chicken

Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot and season with garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning.

Step 2: Add Soup and Broth

Pour the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth over the chicken.

Step 3: Cook Chicken

Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.

Step 4: Shred Chicken

Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks.

Step 5: Add Rice and Broccoli

Add both packets of Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Rice and the frozen broccoli florets. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 6: Continue Cooking

Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes on HIGH.

Step 7: Add Cheddar Cheese

Remove the lid, give everything a good stir, then add the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and everything is creamy.

Step 8: Serve

Serve hot and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • Add cooked bacon at the end for a smoky chicken bacon broccoli rice version. The bacon gives the creamy rice extra texture and makes the dish taste even more loaded.
  • Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar if you want a little heat. It melts into the rice and gives the whole dish a slightly spicy cheesy finish.
  • Stir in a little ranch seasoning with the chicken seasonings for a chicken bacon ranch style flavor. It works especially well if you add bacon and extra cheddar at the end.
  • Swap the broccoli cheddar rice for a different flavored rice packet if you want to change up the flavor. Just make sure the cook time is similar so the texture stays right.
  • Top each serving with extra shredded cheddar or crushed crackers for more texture. The creamy base pairs really well with something crunchy on top.

Tips for Success

  • Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot so it mixes into the creamy broth and keeps all the flavor in the dish.
  • Stir well after adding the rice packets and broccoli so the rice cooks evenly and does not clump together.
  • Use frozen broccoli florets straight from the bag so they soften while the rice finishes cooking.
  • Add the cheddar cheese at the end so it melts smoothly without getting grainy.
  • Let the dish sit for a few minutes after cooking if you want it to thicken up more before serving.
  • If the mixture gets too thick, stir in a small splash of chicken broth until it reaches the texture you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts. They usually stay extra tender in the crockpot and bring a little more richness to the dish. The cook time should be similar, but always make sure the chicken is fully cooked before shredding.

Do I cook the Knorr rice before adding it?

No, the Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Rice goes into the crockpot dry after the chicken has cooked and been shredded. It cooks during the final 30 minutes and absorbs the broth, soup, and chicken flavor. Stir it in well so the rice cooks evenly.

Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen broccoli?

Yes, fresh broccoli can work if you chop it into small florets so it cooks quickly. Frozen broccoli is convenient and softens easily during the final cooking time. If using fresh broccoli and you like it very tender, you may need a few extra minutes.

How do I keep this from getting too thick?

The rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so the mixture can thicken after cooking. If it gets thicker than you want, stir in a little extra chicken broth until it loosens up. Add small amounts at a time so it stays creamy instead of soupy.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to bring back the creamy texture. The rice thickens as it chills, so adding a little liquid helps a lot.

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice

No ratings yet
Creamy crockpot cheesy chicken broccoli and rice made with shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, broth, Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Rice, frozen broccoli, and cheddar cheese.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • garlic salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • garlic powder, to taste
  • onion powder, to taste
  • Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning, to taste
  • 1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 5.9 oz packets Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Rice
  • 1 12 oz bag frozen broccoli florets
  • 1 8 oz bag shredded cheddar cheese

Method
 

  1. Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot and season with garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning.
  2. Pour the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth over the seasoned chicken.
  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
  4. Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks.
  5. Add both packets of Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Rice and the frozen broccoli florets to the crockpot. Stir everything together until well combined.
  6. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes, until the rice is cooked and the broccoli is tender.
  7. Remove the lid, give everything a good stir, then add the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and everything is creamy.
  8. Serve hot and enjoy.

Video

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Share The Recipe

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Hey, I'm Scotty

What started as just messing around in the kitchen and posting recipes online quickly turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. At first, it was just a side hustle—sharing simple, easy meals that anyone could make without overthinking it.

Popular Recipes

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.

Recent Recipes

GET RECIPES

SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

Subscribe to my newsletter to get free recipes and a lot more!

By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Emails are sent and managed through Kit.