Slow cooker meals are a lifesaver for busy families, and this Pioneer Woman inspired slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli recipe is no exception. Imagine coming home to the comforting aroma of tender chicken and broccoli in a rich, cheesy sauce. This dish is not only incredibly easy to prepare but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for weeknight dinners or relaxed weekend gatherings. Let your slow cooker do the magic and create a meal that everyone will rave about!
Overhead shot of slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli over rice plated.
Why This Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli Recipe is a Must-Try
This recipe stands out for several reasons, making it a fantastic addition to your recipe collection:
- Effortless Preparation: Minimal prep time is required. Simply toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it work its magic. This is ideal for busy individuals and families who want a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of creamy soups, savory chicken, and tender broccoli, enhanced with a touch of Cajun seasoning and topped with cheddar cheese, creates a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and satisfying. It’s a delightful twist on classic comfort food.
- Family Approved: From picky eaters to adventurous palates, this creamy chicken and broccoli is universally loved. Its mild and cheesy flavor profile appeals to children, while adults appreciate the hearty and flavorful combination.
- Versatile and Adaptable: This recipe is easily customizable to suit your preferences and dietary needs. You can adjust the vegetables, cheese, and seasonings to create your own signature version.
Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the use of pantry-friendly ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this delectable dish:
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This forms the creamy base of the sauce. For a richer flavor, consider using a high-quality or organic cream of chicken soup.
- Cheddar Cheese Soup: Adding cheddar soup enhances the cheesy flavor profile and creates a smoother, more decadent sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds moisture and depth of flavor to the dish, ensuring the chicken stays moist and tender throughout the slow cooking process.
- Cajun Seasoning: This secret ingredient elevates the flavor, providing a subtle kick and complexity without making it overly spicy. It perfectly complements the creamy and cheesy elements.
- Garlic Salt: Garlic salt adds a savory touch that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Chicken breasts are lean and cook beautifully in the slow cooker, becoming incredibly tender and easy to shred.
- Sour Cream: Stirring in sour cream at the end adds a tangy richness and extra creaminess to the sauce, creating a luscious texture.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh or frozen broccoli florets work equally well in this recipe. Broccoli adds a healthy dose of vegetables and a pleasant textural contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: A generous topping of shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully over the hot chicken and broccoli, adding a final layer of cheesy goodness.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crock Pot Chicken Broccoli
Making this Pioneer Woman inspired creamy chicken and broccoli in your crock pot is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a hassle-free and delicious meal:
- Combine Soup and Seasonings: In a 6-quart crockpot, lightly coated with cooking spray, combine the cream of chicken soup, cheddar soup, chicken broth, salt, Cajun seasoning, and garlic salt. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
Overhead shot of soups, broth and seasonings in the bottom of a crockpot.
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Add Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly over the soup mixture in the crockpot. Ensure the chicken is somewhat submerged in the sauce to keep it moist during cooking. Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours, depending on your schedule and desired cooking speed.
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Shred Chicken: About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, open the crockpot and shred the chicken using two forks. Shredding the chicken at this stage allows it to absorb more of the flavorful sauce in the final cooking time.
Overhead shot of someone shredding chicken with two forks in sauce in the crockpot.
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Incorporate Remaining Ingredients: Add the broccoli florets, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese to the crockpot with the shredded chicken and sauce. Stir gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring the broccoli is evenly distributed and coated in the creamy sauce.
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Final Cook and Serve: Cover the crockpot again and continue cooking for the remaining 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and heated through, and the cheese is melted and gooey. Serve this creamy Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken And Broccoli over a bed of fluffy rice. Garnish with extra shredded cheese or fresh herbs for an added touch, if desired.
Overhead shot of slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli in a crockpot.
Tips and Variations for Your Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
Make this Pioneer Woman slow cooker chicken and broccoli recipe your own with these helpful tips and creative variations:
- Chicken Prep: For quicker cooking and even more flavor, consider cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces before adding them to the slow cooker. This also eliminates the need for shredding later. Alternatively, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for a richer flavor, but ensure they are pre-cut as they may not shred as easily as chicken breasts.
- Serving Suggestions: While white rice is a classic pairing, explore other bases to serve this creamy chicken and broccoli over. Brown rice, pasta, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice offer healthy and delicious alternatives. For a comforting twist, try serving it over baked or sweet potatoes.
- Vegetable Swaps: Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, steamed carrots, or cauliflower florets are excellent additions. Frozen peas can be added directly to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra color and nutrients.
- Spice it Up: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the recipe. Serving hot sauce on the side allows everyone to customize the spice level to their liking.
- Herb Garnish: Fresh herbs like chopped chives, parsley, or rosemary add a burst of freshness and enhance the visual appeal of the dish. Sprinkle them over the finished dish just before serving.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese to customize the flavor profile. Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella can be used in place of or in addition to cheddar cheese.
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Instructions
For a faster cooking option, this recipe can easily be adapted for the Instant Pot:
- Pressure Cook Chicken: Place chicken breasts and chicken broth in a lightly greased Instant Pot. Sprinkle all the seasonings evenly over the chicken. Secure the lid and pressure cook on high for 15 minutes, followed by a manual pressure release.
- Shred and Combine: Carefully open the Instant Pot and remove the chicken to a separate plate. Shred the chicken with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot and add the broccoli, cream of chicken soup, and cheddar soup.
- Sauté and Simmer: Turn on the Instant Pot’s sauté function and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir frequently to prevent scorching, and cook until the broccoli is tender-crisp, about 10-15 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off the sauté function and switch to the “warm” setting. Stir in the sour cream and shredded cheese until fully melted and combined. Let it sit for a few minutes to heat through completely. Serve hot over rice or your preferred base.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Creamy Chicken and Broccoli
This Pioneer Woman slow cooker chicken and broccoli is perfect for meal prepping and can be easily made ahead of time or stored for later:
- Prep Ahead (Fridge): Assemble all ingredients in the crockpot up to the point of turning it on. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. Cook as directed, adding about an hour to the cooking time if starting from cold.
- Cook Chicken in Advance: Cook the recipe up to the chicken shredding step. Refrigerate the shredded chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours or on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. Then, proceed with adding broccoli and remaining ingredients.
- Freezing Instructions: Cook the recipe up to the chicken shredding step. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and proceeding with the recipe.
- Leftover Storage: Store leftover creamy chicken and broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat thoroughly in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Pioneer Woman slow cooker chicken and broccoli – a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite!
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