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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.
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
- Onion and garlic – I like Vidalia/sweet, but yellow or white is just fine
- Italian seasoning – it’s a convenient blend of dried herbs that comes in one jar
- 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.
- Want to make it with orzo? Try my similar one pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo instead.
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.
In a soup pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion until softened, then put in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and uncooked rice. Cook until fragrant.
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 few minutes or so.
Stir in the cheddar, and season to taste with salt & pepper!
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I recommend grating your own cheese. It’ll taste and melt better. My favorite grater for cheddar makes this process quick and easy.
- This is the Dutch oven I use for my one pot recipes.
- Use a garlic press to quickly mince the garlic, and store the remainder in this cute garlic keeper.
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.
- If you want to keep it mild for the kids but jazz up your portion, just add some hot sauce 😉
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 (ready in 10 minutes and no blender needed), or change it up with this Simple Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing.
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.
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.
Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
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 grated cheddar
- 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 over medium-high heat 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).
- This recipe is also on page 189 of the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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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!!
I’m so glad it worked out!!
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.
Thank you so much! Glad it was a hit and the adaptations worked out. 🙂
Sounds so easy and good! Can you use cauliflower rice instead?
Hi! Cauliflower rice is literally just finely shredded cauliflower, so it won’t contain any starch and won’t thicken up the same.
This was delicious. I’m sort of lactose intolerant. I substituted the heavy cream for coconut cream. Super yummy!
Glad it worked out, Claudia! Thank you for leaving a review.
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.
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!
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!
I’m so happy it worked out for you, Sue! You’re very welcome. I appreciate your kind review. 🙂
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
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Elaine! Appreciate your review!
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!
Fantastic!! I’m so happy you’re liking the recipes, Heather!! 🙂 Thanks for your review.
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!
That’s wonderful to hear, Jane!! We’re thrilled you like our recipes 🙂 Thank you for your thoughtful review!
Very easy and delicious meal! Something new to put into rotation. I loved every one of your recipes I’ve tried!
That’s so great to hear, Amanda!! 🙂 Really appreciate your review!