Imagine coming home to a mouthwatering, creamy, and cheesy meal that practically cooks itself - no culinary magic required! This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution that combines tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and gooey melted cheese in one irresistible dish. Whether you're a busy parent, a working professional, or simply someone who loves delicious, hassle-free meals, this recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort food that will have everyone at the dinner table asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels and seasoning generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Lightly spray the inside of your 6-quart crockpot with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup and milk until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are mostly covered.
- Cover the crockpot and set to cook on LOW heat for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the fresh broccoli florets on top of the chicken.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the broccoli and chicken.
- Cover and continue cooking until cheese is melted and broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Once done, carefully remove the chicken and broccoli, and transfer to a serving platter.
- Optional: If sauce is too thin, whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water to thicken.
- Serve hot, spooning extra sauce over the chicken and broccoli.
Tips
- For maximum flavor, season your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper before placing them in the crockpot.
- Use fresh broccoli florets for the best texture and nutritional value.
- To prevent dry chicken, avoid lifting the crockpot lid too often during cooking.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F for food safety.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, the cornstarch trick is a game-changer - just whisk a tablespoon with cold water before adding.
- For extra richness, you can substitute part of the milk with heavy cream.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 110mg
