Delicious Crockpot Broccoli Chicken and Rice

Finding a dinner recipe that satisfies everyone while being easy to prepare can feel like an impossible task. Between after-school activities, work deadlines, and the usual evening rush, getting a nutritious meal on the table often seems out of reach – especially when you’re trying to please both kids and adults.

That’s where this crockpot broccoli chicken and rice comes to the rescue: it’s comforting and filling, takes just minutes to prep in the morning, and creates minimal mess. Plus, it’s the kind of set-it-and-forget-it meal that lets you focus on everything else life throws your way.

What Kind of Rice Should I Use?

Brown rice is the star player in this crockpot dish, and while the recipe calls for standard brown rice, you’ve got some wiggle room here. Regular long-grain brown rice is the most common and reliable choice, but short-grain brown rice can work too – just keep in mind it might give you a slightly stickier result. If you’re in a pinch, you could swap in brown basmati rice, which adds a lovely nutty flavor to the dish. Just avoid instant or quick-cooking brown rice in this recipe, as it won’t hold up well during the long cooking time in the crockpot and could turn mushy. Remember to give your rice a quick rinse before adding it to the pot – this helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too gummy.

Options for Substitutions

This cozy crockpot meal can be adapted with several easy swaps if you’re missing ingredients:

• Brown rice: While brown rice gives the best texture and nutrition, you can use white rice instead. Just note that white rice cooks faster, so add it during the last 2 hours of cooking to prevent mushiness.
• Chicken breast: Feel free to use chicken thighs – they actually stay more tender in the slow cooker. You could also use turkey breast as an alternative.
• Broccoli: Cauliflower works great here, or try a mix of both! Frozen broccoli is fine too, just add it during the last 30 minutes to prevent overcooking.
• Sour cream: Plain Greek yogurt makes a great substitute with extra protein. Regular plain yogurt works too, but strain it first to remove excess liquid.
• Cheddar cheese: Any melting cheese works well – try Monterey Jack, Colby, or a cheese blend. For a lighter version, reduced-fat cheese is fine too.
• Dijon mustard: Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard can work in place of Dijon. If you’re out of mustard completely, try a splash of white wine vinegar for that tangy kick.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge with crockpot rice dishes is getting the liquid ratio just right – too much water makes mushy rice, while too little leaves you with crunchy, undercooked grains. For perfect results, start with the recommended amount of stock and check the rice about 30 minutes before the cooking time ends – if it seems dry, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time. Another common mistake is adding the broccoli too early, which turns it into an unappetizing mush – instead, wait to add it during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking time for tender-crisp florets. To prevent the chicken from drying out, make sure to place it at the bottom of the crockpot, underneath the rice, where it will stay moist and cook evenly in the simmering liquid. For the creamiest results, let the dish rest for 10 minutes after stirring in the sour cream and cheese, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together perfectly.

What to Serve With Crockpot Broccoli Chicken and Rice?

Since this crockpot meal already includes protein, veggies, and grains, you really just need some simple sides to round out your dinner. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing makes a perfect partner – try mixing in some cherry tomatoes and cucumber for extra crunch. Some warm, crusty bread or dinner rolls are great for soaking up the creamy sauce, and my family loves having extra roasted vegetables on the side (carrots or Brussels sprouts work really well here). If you want to keep things super simple, just add a few lemon wedges to squeeze over top – the bright citrus really brings out all the flavors in this cozy dish.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This cozy crockpot meal stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The rice might absorb more liquid as it sits, but that just makes it even more creamy! It’s perfect for meal prep since you can portion it out into individual containers for easy lunches.

Freeze: If you want to save some for later, let the dish cool completely and pop it in freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just keep in mind the broccoli might be a bit softer when thawed, but the flavor will still be great!

Reheat: When you’re ready to eat, warm it up in the microwave, stirring occasionally for even heating. You might want to add a splash of chicken broth or milk if it seems a bit dry. For bigger portions, heat it in a covered pan on low, stirring now and then until it’s heated through.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	120-360 minutes
Total Time	135-380 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 100-110 g

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock (with up to 1 cup more if needed)
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces
• 1 teaspoon onion seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 cups broccoli florets, trimmed to size if necessary
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped fresh parsley, optional for topping

Step 1: Prepare the Base Ingredients

In your slow cooker, start by adding the rice, diced onion, minced garlic, and dried thyme.

Pour chicken broth over the rice mixture to ensure the rice has enough liquid to cook thoroughly.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken

Take your chicken pieces and season them liberally with onion powder and salt.

Rub both sides with Dijon mustard for added flavor.

Carefully place the seasoned chicken on top of the rice mixture in the slow cooker.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or on LOW for 5-6 hours, depending on your schedule.

Step 3: Prepare Broccoli and Chop Chicken

Once the cooking time is complete, uncover the slow cooker and transfer the chicken to a cutting board.

Allow it to cool slightly, then chop it into small, bite-sized pieces.

Steam the broccoli in the microwave and drain any excess water before adding it to the slow cooker.

Stir the mixture to combine the broccoli, rice, and any remaining liquid.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients and Check Rice

Add the sour cream and chopped chicken back into the slow cooker and stir to thoroughly combine with the rice and broccoli.

Check the rice for doneness; if it’s not fully cooked, add up to 1 cup more of broth.

Stir well to ensure the rice absorbs any additional liquid.

Step 5: Melt Cheese and Final Cook

Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the chicken and rice mixture.

Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the rice reaches the desired softness.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Once everything is cooked to perfection, serve the warm chicken and rice dish directly from the slow cooker.

For a touch of color and flavor, you may garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Enjoy your satisfying and flavorful meal!