This cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice is the weeknight meal dreams are made of! When using instant brown rice, this recipe is ready in under twenty minutes and it’s not only simple, but it’s super nutritious, too!
Table of Contents
Why we love one pot recipes
At least once a week, we make a one-pot recipe. Preparing a meal in a single dish is our secret weapon to tackle even the busiest of weeknights.
The main benefit of a one-dish recipe is that there is only one dirty dish when you’re done cooking. You won’t be spending an hour cleaning up after cooking this recipe. Once you are done cooking and ready to serve, simply pop your pot in the sink and fill it up with water to soak while you eat. Cleaning up has never been easier!
Furthermore, the dish overall is more flavorful when everything gets cooked together. This is because all of the seasonings and veggies have more time cooking together. It allows for the flavors to infuse more during that cook time.
If you’re looking for more one-pot recipes to add to your meal planning, we assembled five of our favorite one-pot pasta recipes here! You can’t go wrong with any of these dishes.
Why you should start cooking rice in broth
Traditionally, rice is cooked in water with a pinch of salt and occasionally finished with a slice of butter. Rice is commonly the base of the dish meant to soak up sauce and accompany the star of the recipe, whether that be protein or veggies.
When you cook rice in water, the flavor is fairly bland. We think that rice deserves better and we’re always looking for ways to amp up the flavor of our recipes.
Cooking rice in broth or stock does just that! It is a real game-changer from a flavor perspective. Instead of simply absorbing water, the rice absorbs the flavors (and nutrients) of the stock. This extra layer of flavor can really take your dinner to the next level with no extra work!
Similar recipes
Do you love the ease of making this chicken and broccoli dish as much as we do? Here are a few other recipes that match the simplicity and flavor profile of this recipe:
- If you are obsessed with the flavors of this recipe, then our one pot broccoli mac and cheese is right up your alley. It is creamy and indulgent, sneakily healthy, and will only keep you in your kitchen for 20 minutes of active cooking time.
- Our one pot Mexican quinoa is just as easy to make, and believe it or not, it’s super good for you. This is a plant-based recipe that truly delivers! It is straightforward, comes together quickly, and is packed with flavor.
- Marry me chicken is one of our favorite recipes on our blog. It only takes a single pan and works so well over cooked rice. The flavors of this sauce are robust. Everyone you are cooking for will be begging for leftovers!
- Lastly, our one pot Tex-Mex rice is truly going to hit the spot. Seriously, your whole family is going to love this one! And the fact that there is only one dish to clean up after cooking? Score!
Can I make this chicken and broccoli dairy free?
Absolutely yes! Our chicken and broccoli might be cheesy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it dairy-free.
There are tons of reasons people are going dairy-free. Limiting dairy in your diet can help lower your carbon footprint and it can also lessen the symptoms of lactose intolerance. While most children can tolerate dairy, around 65% of adults experience some sort of lactose intolerance.
Because more and more people are going dairy-free, you have more options beyond just removing the cheese from this recipe. You can replace the shredded cheddar cheese we use for this recipe with your favorite plan- based cheddar cheese.
If you’re not into faux cheese, we get it! Making this dish dairy-free is also as simple as just removing the shredded cheese from the ingredient list. The dish will be delicious either way.
How to make chicken and broccoli rice
- Add olive oil to a wide pan or pot. Bring the burner up to medium-high heat.
- Add chicken breast, salt, pepper, and paprika to the pot. Cook for a couple of minutes, then add in garlic. Cook while stirring until the garlic softens.
- Add the instant brown rice, broth, and broccoli. Bring the stove top up to high heat until the broth begins to boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 12-14 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in shredded cheese.
Chicken and Broccoli Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 chopped uncooked chicken breasts
- salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 5 cloves minced garlic
- 3 cups instant brown rice uncooked
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a wide pan or pot. Bring the burner up to medium-high heat.2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Add chicken breast, salt, pepper and paprika to the pot. Cook for a couple minutes, then add in garlic. Cook while stirring until the garlic softens.1 teaspoon paprika, salt and pepper, 3 chopped uncooked chicken breasts, 5 cloves minced garlic
- Add the instant brown rice, broth, and broccoli. Bring the stove top up to high heat until the broth begins to boil.3 cups instant brown rice, 3 cups low sodium chicken broth, 2 cups broccoli florets
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 12-14 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in shredded cheese.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Video
Equipment
Would you like to save this? 🔖
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Several people tried this white instant white rice and it works just as well.
Such an easy weeknight meal even my toddler will eat!
Doesn’t say to cover the pot. Should I?
Love this ! So easy ❣️
Hi! Is the chicken cooked already when adding to pot?
No, it is not cooked!
Fantastic taste and so easy!
Instant rice? Really
Can I use precooked WHITE rice?
Absolutely!
I just made this and it’s so good. Not a big fan of cheese so I left that out. Easy, simple good ingredients and delicious.
I would love for you’ll to have a cookbook! It that a possibility in the future?
We do have an e-book! We will keep you posted if we work on an actual book!
Made this for my family the other day! So easy to prepare and kid approved! Will be keeping this in my wheelhouse for an easy weeknight dinner
Can this recipe be cut in half.
Absolutely!
How many servings is this supposed to be or what is the serving size? Thank you!
This serves 6!
What is the skillet you are cooking in? It’s beautiful!!
Thank you! Here is the pan.
Had to almost double the liquid for rice to cook. Flavor was so bland. Not a fan.
So sorry to hear that – Did you use instant brown rice?
Hi, Can you use regular rice, not instant?
If you want to make this with regular rice, the liquid measurements will be different. Also- we suggest stirring steamed broccoli in at the end so it does not get mushy.
How much liquids do we put in if we are using regular brown rice? Whatver is on the bag?
Yes, go with what is on the bag. We don’t recommend adding the broccoli until the end so it does not get too mushy.
Can I use frozen broccoli florets that come in the steamer bag?
Absolutely! You can either steam the florets according the package instructions and stir them in with the cheese, or you can add the frozen florets 8-10 minutes before the rice is finished cooking!
So easy and delicious! I seasoned my chicken with Mrs dash and cayenne pepper to make it spicy. Served over spinach with garlic bread 🤌🏼🤌🏼
If I don’t have instant brown rice – how can adjust recipe to account for regular brown rice?
I have questions! Do we cook the rice before adding it or no?
Also, 3 cups of rice before or after cooking jt?
Hi! No, you do not cook the rice, it is uncooked rice. Also- note that this is instant brown rice!
what kind of broth ma’am ?
We use chicken broth, but feel free to use your choice of broth.
Quick, easy and good!