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    Home » Chicken & Poultry

    Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice (One Pot Meal!)

    Published: Sep 7, 2021 / Updated: Dec 31, 2022 / 22 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This 35-minute one pot chicken, broccoli, and rice recipe is creamy, cheesy, and easy to make on the stove. It's so much faster than a casserole!

    If you love one pot meals, try my Lemon Chicken Orzo or Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole.

    chicken broccoli and rice in two white bowls

    Why you'll love it

    This is very much like a chicken broccoli rice casserole, but it's not baked, making it way quicker! It can be on your table in just over 30 minutes. It's an all-in-one dinner that's kid-friendly, and you won't find any fancy ingredients in here.

    I used meat from a rotisserie chicken to make this one pot recipe even simpler. Just pick one up on your way home from work or running errands. This is such a comforting meal after a long day, and you won't spend much time in the kitchen cooking or cleaning up after, which is what's important, right?

    What you'll need

    • Olive oil and butter - the classic base for sautéing the onion
    • Onion - I like Vidalia, but yellow or white is just fine
    • Garlic - one of my go-to aromatics to amp up flavor
    • Italian seasoning - it's a convenient blend of dried herbs that comes in a jar in the spice aisle of your grocery store
    • Rice - we're using long grain white rice
    • Chicken broth - infuses more flavor into the sauce in an easy way
    • Worcestershire sauce - a little goes a long way to adding wonderful savory flavor. Don't skip it!
    • Heavy cream - gives the sauce its rich texture. You could swap the cream for a can of condensed cream of chicken soup if you prefer.
    • Chicken - use shredded leftover or rotisserie chicken as a timesaver
    • Broccoli - be sure to cut the fresh broccoli into small florets so that they cook fast
    • Cheddar cheese - try an old/sharp cheddar for the best flavor

    What kind of rice to use

    • I used long grain white rice (that's literally what the bag of rice is labeled as). You could get more specific and use basmati or jasmine rice, which are types of long grain white rice.
    • I do not recommend using brown rice since it'll require more liquid and cooking time. I have not tested this, but feel free to experiment.

    How to make one pot chicken broccoli rice

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    sauteing onions and adding rice to a dutch oven

    In a soup pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion for 4-5 minutes, then put in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and uncooked rice. Cook for about a minute.

    adding broth, broccoli, and chicken to a dutch oven

    Stir in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce and bring it to a boil, then cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Add in the cream, broccoli, and cooked chicken, and cover again and cook for another 5 minutes or so.

    adding in cheddar cheese to one pot chicken, broccoli, and rice in a dutch oven

    Stir in the cheddar, and season to taste with salt & pepper!

    Tips for success

    • On my stove with the directed cooking times and temperatures, there's a bit of liquid left that makes a sauce, and the rice is cooked but not mushy. This should not be a "gloopy" meal unless you overcook it or if you use a shorter grain rice that's more starchy/sticky.
    • As with any one pot meal, you may need to use a bit of discretion since stoves and pots vary. If there seems to not be enough liquid (like the rice is about to start sticking to the pot), add in a splash more broth or cream. If there's too much liquid towards the end of cooking time, simply let it cook for a bit longer.
    • I recommend grating your own cheese. It'll taste and melt better. My favorite grater for cheddar makes this process quick and easy.
    • If you want to keep it mild for the kids but jazz up your portion, just add some hot sauce 😉
    one pot chicken broccoli and rice

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, but keep in mind the rice will soak up more of the liquid, so it won't have quite the same texture as when it's first made.
    • Reheat in a saucepan over a low heat. You could try adding in a drizzle of cream or broth to revive it.
    • I don't recommend freezing this recipe.

    What to serve with this meal

    • It's a complete meal in itself, but you can add a slice of Garlic Bread.
    • Try a side salad with classic Caesar Dressing, or change it up with this Simple Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing.

    More comfort food classics

    • Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
    • Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake
    • Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
    • Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
    • Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    chicken broccoli rice casserole close-up in white bowl

    Questions about this cheesy chicken, broccoli, and rice recipe? Talk to me in the comments below! I'd love it if you left me a review. I'm also on Instagram.

    chicken broccoli and rice in two white bowls

    Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice

    This 35-minute one pot chicken, broccoli, and rice recipe is creamy, cheesy, and easy to make on the stove. It's so much faster than a casserole!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 523 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice see note
    • 3 cups chicken broth
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 2 cups cooked chicken (I used rotisserie) shredded/chopped
    • 2 cups broccoli cut into small florets
    • 1.5-2 cups cheddar grated
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Prep all ingredients. If you want to have a melted cheese topping, grate 2 cups of cheddar. If not, only grate 1.5 cups like I did for the photos.
    • Add the oil, butter, and onion to a pot/Dutch oven and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
    • Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and rice, and cook for about a minute (stir frequently).
    • Stir in the broth and Worcestershire sauce, and increase the heat to high. Once it comes to a boil, give it a stir, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 15 minutes.
    • Stir in the cream, chicken, and broccoli. Cover the pot again and cook for another 5 minutes or until the broccoli has softened to your liking and the rice has cooked. On my stove with the directed cooking times and temperatures, there's a bit of liquid left that makes a sauce, and the rice is cooked but not mushy. It will thicken more as it cools. See recipe notes for troubleshooting tips.
    • Stir in the 1.5 cups of cheddar and taste and season with salt & pepper as needed (I am generous with both - there's a lot of rice in here). If you want the melted cheese topping, top with the remaining half cup of cheese and let it melt for a few minutes prior to serving.

    Notes

    • Serves 4-6 depending on portion size/what else it's served with.
    • I used long grain white rice (that's literally what the bag of rice is labeled as). You could use basmati or jasmine rice, which are types of long grain white rice. I don't recommend using brown rice since it'll require more liquid and cooking time (I have not tested it, but feel free to experiment). Shorter grain rice varieties will be more sticky/starchy/gloopy.
    • Troubleshooting tips:
      • Stoves and pots vary, so take my directions as a guideline. If there seems to not be enough liquid/the rice is sticking to the pot, add in a splash more broth or cream and lower the heat. If there's too much liquid towards the end of cooking time, simply let it cook for a bit longer (turn the heat up a bit if needed).
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 523kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 23gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 711mgPotassium: 436mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1197IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 278mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chicken broccoli rice, chicken broccoli rice casserole, chicken rice and broccoli
    Author Natasha Bull
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    1. David says

      January 30, 2023 at 10:48 AM

      We made it and used breadcrumbs mixed with mozzarella as a crust on top. Even without the topping it was fantastic!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 30, 2023 at 3:09 PM

        Love that!

        Reply
    2. Miranda Mills says

      December 5, 2022 at 4:14 PM

      Okaaayyy this is SUPER yummy!! WE didn't have any white long grain rice, only brown rice, so I was feeling brave. THANKFULLY it worked out. I used 3.5 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of brown rice and cooked for 45 minutes on step 4. Everything else the same! The rice was a little mushy, but the flavor was worth the risk! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 5, 2022 at 9:48 PM

        I'm so glad it worked out!!

        Reply
    3. Kelly Willever says

      December 5, 2022 at 4:12 PM

      5 stars
      Very good! Super easy and quick! I didn't have heavy whipping cream so I took 1 cup of milk and added 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to it and worked great.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 5, 2022 at 9:49 PM

        Thank you so much! Glad it was a hit and the adaptations worked out. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Melissa says

      November 4, 2022 at 1:09 PM

      Sounds so easy and good! Can you use cauliflower rice instead?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 4, 2022 at 3:36 PM

        Hi! Cauliflower rice is literally just finely shredded cauliflower, so it won't contain any starch and won't thicken up the same.

        Reply
    5. Claudia says

      September 21, 2022 at 1:44 PM

      This was delicious. I'm sort of lactose intolerant. I substituted the heavy cream for coconut cream. Super yummy!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        September 21, 2022 at 1:47 PM

        Glad it worked out, Claudia! Thank you for leaving a review.

        Reply
    6. Amanda says

      April 11, 2022 at 6:55 PM

      5 stars
      I’ve made many broccoli/rice/cheese casseroles over the years and this one just hits different. Probably the Worcestershire sauce which is a great addition although I was unsure when I read it in the recipe. I love a recipe I can easily adapt for my vegetarian teenager - I just removed her portion before I added the chicken at the very end. This will be on regular rotation.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 11, 2022 at 7:01 PM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it!!! 😀 And that's so nice your daughter was able to enjoy it easily as well. Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    7. Sue says

      April 7, 2022 at 12:26 PM

      5 stars
      This is really comforting. I substituted the heavy cream for half & half and only had mozzarella cheese handy, but it works perfectly. So creamy and delicious. You're right about the Worcesteshire sauce, it does make a world of difference. I'm heading to the kitchen for a second serving now. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 7, 2022 at 12:42 PM

        I'm so happy it worked out for you, Sue! You're very welcome. I appreciate your kind review. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Elaine says

      April 5, 2022 at 10:14 PM

      5 stars
      Fabulous this was soo tasty will be making it again I think the onion and garlic was what made this dish it just had a perfect taste definitely will be making this again thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 6, 2022 at 10:07 AM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Elaine! Appreciate your review!

        Reply
    9. Heather says

      February 15, 2022 at 5:10 PM

      5 stars
      Easy and quick! I also love that I had everything already and didn’t have to make a trip to the store for one or two things. This is your 3rd recipe we have tried and my family loves! It feels good. Thank you tons!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 15, 2022 at 5:52 PM

        Fantastic!! I'm so happy you're liking the recipes, Heather!! 🙂 Thanks for your review.

        Reply
    10. Jane says

      February 2, 2022 at 5:17 PM

      5 stars
      This was delicious! So quick and easy to make, and my kids loved it as well. I spiced up my plate with some cayenne and it was perfect. Every one of your recipes is a win - this is the 10th one I’ve tried and I’m always impressed. So glad I stumbled across your site! Love the recipes!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        February 2, 2022 at 9:43 PM

        That's wonderful to hear, Jane!! We're thrilled you like our recipes 🙂 Thank you for your thoughtful review!

        Reply
    11. Amanda says

      January 10, 2022 at 3:12 PM

      5 stars
      Very easy and delicious meal! Something new to put into rotation. I loved every one of your recipes I’ve tried!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 10, 2022 at 3:31 PM

        That's so great to hear, Amanda!! 🙂 Really appreciate your review!

        Reply

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