One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice

This one-pot wonder combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and fresh broccoli all blanketed in melty cheese. The best part? You’ll only have one pot to wash when you’re done!

This isn’t just any ordinary casserole – it’s the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table smile. The rice soaks up all the savory flavors while cooking, and that golden cheese crust on top? Pure heaven. Plus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something delicious and satisfying.

Ingredients

For the Base:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

For the Rice Mixture:

• ¾ cup uncooked rice
• 10 ounces cream of chicken soup (1 can)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

For Finishing:

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Steps

1. Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add onion and chicken, cooking for 5 minutes until chicken begins to brown. Season with salt and pepper, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Pour in rice, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender.
3. Add broccoli florets and half the cheese, cooking 2 more minutes until broccoli softens slightly.
4. Top with remaining cheese and broil 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and browns lightly.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Smart Swaps

• Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice (reduces carbs by 30g per serving)
• Swap cream of chicken soup for Greek yogurt mixed with chicken stock (1:1 ratio)
• Try mozzarella or Gruyere cheese for different flavor profiles

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace white rice with quinoa (reduces net carbs by 15g per serving)
• Use cauliflower rice (only 5g carbs per cup vs 45g for white rice)
• Add extra broccoli to increase fiber content
• Portion into 1-cup servings (approximately 30g carbs per serving)

Pro Tips

• Toast the rice for 2 minutes before adding liquid for nuttier flavor
• Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep
• Shred cheese fresh for better melting
• Let rest 5 minutes before serving to thicken sauce