Are you craving a mouthwatering, hassle-free dinner that combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and nutritious broccoli in one incredible dish? Look no further than this game-changing Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Chicken! Perfect for busy families and home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels and seasoning generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, creating a single layer.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup with half of the shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
- Pour the soup and cheese mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are mostly covered.
- Wash and cut broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces, then arrange them around and on top of the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, cooking for 4 hours or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- During the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the chicken and broccoli.
- Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken and broccoli, and transfer to a serving platter.
- If desired, create a thicker sauce by whisking the remaining liquid in the slow cooker and spooning it over the chicken.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and sauce to slightly thicken.
Tips
- Always pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure better spice adherence and more flavorful results.
- Use fresh broccoli florets for the best texture and nutritional value.
- Check chicken's internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee it's fully cooked at 165°F.
- For extra richness, use full-fat cream of mushroom soup and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Don't overcook the broccoli - it should remain slightly crisp and vibrant green.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- If the sauce seems too thin, you can quickly thicken it by whisking in a cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 110mg
