Busy weekdays call for recipes that are both comforting and low-effort—and this Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole delivers on all fronts.
With juicy chunks of chicken, vibrant broccoli, creamy rice, and melty cheese, it’s a dish the whole family will happily gather around the table for. You just add everything to the slow cooker, set it, and let it work its magic.
No complicated steps, no extra pans to clean—just cozy, satisfying food with minimal fuss. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day, and it’s just as good reheated for lunch the next day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Minimal prep time and one-pot cleanup—hello, easy weeknights!
- Packed with creamy, cheesy goodness and a sneaky dose of vegetables.
- Kid-approved comfort food that’s also great for leftovers.
- It’s freezer-friendly, making it ideal for batch cooking.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours on low or 2–3 hours on high
Servings: 4–6
Equipment Needed: Slow cooker (4-quart or larger), mixing spoon
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain or jasmine rice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
- Prep Your Slow Cooker: Give the inside of your slow cooker a light coating of cooking spray or a little butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix It All Together: Add the chopped chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, milk, uncooked rice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper directly into the slow cooker. Stir everything together until nicely combined.
- Cook: Cover and let it cook—choose either low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours. About halfway through, give it a gentle stir to keep things cooking evenly and prevent rice from clumping.
- Add the Cheese: Once everything is tender and the rice is cooked, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. For extra flavor, sprinkle Parmesan over the top and cover for a few minutes so it melts in.
- Serve and Enjoy: Dish it up while it’s hot! You can garnish with more cheese or a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
Variations to Try:
- Swap the chicken for cooked shredded rotisserie chicken to save even more time.
- Use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for an extra gooey cheese pull.
- Stir in some cooked mushrooms or diced bell peppers for added flavor and texture.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of red pepper flakes or a spoonful of salsa.
Pro Tips:
- Rinse your rice before adding it in—it helps prevent the casserole from turning too starchy or gummy.
- If your slow cooker runs hot, check the dish a bit earlier to avoid overcooked rice.
- Fresh broccoli works best here, but if you only have frozen, thaw and pat it dry first so the dish doesn’t get watery.
- Don’t lift the lid too often—slow cookers lose a lot of heat fast. Only stir once midway through cooking.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain or jasmine rice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prep Your Slow Cooker: Give the inside of your slow cooker a light coating of cooking spray or a little butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix It All Together: Add the chopped chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, milk, uncooked rice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper directly into the slow cooker. Stir everything together until nicely combined.
- Cook: Cover and let it cook—choose either low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours. About halfway through, give it a gentle stir to keep things cooking evenly and prevent rice from clumping.
- Add the Cheese: Once everything is tender and the rice is cooked, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. For extra flavor, sprinkle Parmesan over the top and cover for a few minutes so it melts in.
- Serve and Enjoy: Dish it up while it’s hot! You can garnish with more cheese or a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
