Can I substitute white rice?

You can , but white rice cooks much faster than brown rice. If you’re using white rice, cook the chicken alone first for 1½ hours, then add the white rice and cook an additional 30–45 minutes.

Can I use cream cheese instead of sour cream?

Absolutely. It makes the dish even creamier—just soften it first so it blends easily.

Can I add more veggies?

Yes! Peas, carrots, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms all work well. Just keep moisture in mind so the rice cooks properly.

How do I store leftovers?

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days . Reheat in the microwave with a splash of broth or water to bring back the creaminess.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes, but the texture changes slightly. Freeze in portions, thaw overnight, and reheat gently.

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice: 6 Delicious Family Wins

Description

This comforting Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice is a creamy, family-friendly slow-cooker dinner made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, fresh broccoli, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s an easy weeknight meal that practically cooks itself!

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup brown rice, uncooked
1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (plus up to 1 cup extra if needed)
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cups broccoli florets, chopped smaller if needed
½ cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

Add the uncooked brown rice, chopped onion, garlic, and dried thyme to the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth.
Season chicken breasts with onion powder and salt, then coat with Dijon mustard. Place on top of the rice mixture.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours (or LOW for 5–6 hours).
Remove chicken, let cool slightly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
Steam broccoli until tender (fresh or frozen), then add to the slow cooker.
Add the chopped chicken back in along with the sour cream. Stir well.
Check rice; if dry, add up to 1 cup additional broth.
Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and cook for 30 more minutes on HIGH, or until cheese is melted and rice is soft.
Serve warm with fresh parsley.

Notes

Frozen steam-in-bag broccoli works great for saving time.
Brown rice varies in absorption—adding extra broth is normal.
For extra creaminess, replace sour cream with softened cream cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 385 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 620 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 39 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg