Are you searching for a hassle-free, delicious meal that will have your family asking for seconds? Look no further! This Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken And Broccoli recipe is your answer to weeknight dinner dilemmas and cozy weekend lunches. Imagine tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked broccoli smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce – all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. This dish is not just easy to prepare; it’s also packed with flavor and guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Slow cookers are a lifesaver for busy individuals and families. They allow you to prepare a hearty, home-cooked meal with minimal effort. Simply toss in your ingredients, set the timer, and let the magic happen. This creamy chicken and broccoli recipe is a perfect example of slow cooker simplicity at its finest. It’s ideal for those days when you want a comforting and satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. For more easy slow cooker inspiration, you might also enjoy exploring recipes like Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon or Slow-Cooker Jambalaya.
Overhead shot of slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli over rice plated.
Why This Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli Recipe is a Winner
This Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe stands out for several reasons:
- Effortless Preparation: Dump, set, and forget! This recipe is incredibly simple. Just combine the ingredients in your crockpot and let it cook. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a hands-off cooking approach.
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of creamy soups, tender chicken, and broccoli, topped with melted cheddar cheese, creates an irresistible flavor profile. The Cajun seasoning adds a subtle kick that elevates the dish without making it spicy, making it appealing to everyone.
- Family-Approved: This meal is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike will love the creamy texture and comforting flavors. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone to eat their vegetables without complaint!
Key Ingredients for Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli
The beauty of this Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe lies in its use of pantry staples, making it a convenient and budget-friendly meal. The secret ingredient? Cajun seasoning, which adds a depth of flavor that truly sets this dish apart.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This forms the creamy base of the sauce. For an even richer flavor, consider using homemade cream of chicken soup.
- Cheddar Soup: Adds an extra layer of cheesy goodness, complementing the cheddar cheese topping.
- Chicken Broth: Enhances the chicken flavor and provides moisture for the slow cooking process.
- Salt: Balances the flavors and seasons the dish perfectly.
- Cajun Seasoning: The star spice! It provides a unique blend of warmth and zest without overpowering the dish.
- Garlic Salt: Adds a savory garlic note that enhances the overall flavor.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cook to tender perfection in the slow cooker and shred easily.
- Sour Cream: Stirred in at the end, sour cream makes the sauce incredibly rich and creamy.
- Broccoli Florets: You can use fresh or frozen broccoli, making this recipe adaptable to what you have on hand.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melted over the top, cheddar cheese adds a comforting, cheesy finish. Medium cheddar is recommended for a nice flavor tang.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crock Pot Chicken and Broccoli
Making this Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli is as easy as 1-2-3! The slow cooker does all the hard work, infusing the chicken with flavor and creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Combine Base Ingredients: Lightly spray your 6-quart crockpot with cooking spray. In the crockpot, combine the cream of chicken soup, cheddar soup, chicken broth, salt, Cajun seasoning, and garlic salt. Stir well until everything is thoroughly mixed.
Overhead shot of soups, broth and seasonings in the bottom of a crockpot.
-
Add Chicken and Slow Cook: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the soup mixture in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3 hours, depending on your schedule.
-
Shred Chicken: About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks.
Overhead shot of someone shredding chicken with two forks in sauce in the crockpot.
- Add Final Ingredients: Stir in the broccoli florets, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything together until well combined. Cover and continue to cook for the remaining 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and heated through, and the cheese is melted and gooey. Serve hot over rice and garnish with extra shredded cheese if desired.
Tips and Delicious Variations
This Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe is fantastic as is, but here are some tips and variations to customize it to your liking:
- Chicken Prep: For even quicker cooking and no shredding required, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces before adding them to the crockpot. Chicken thighs (boneless and skinless) also work well but should be pre-cut as they don’t shred as easily.
- Serving Suggestions: While we love this dish served over white rice, it’s also delicious with brown rice, pasta, quinoa, riced cauliflower, baked potatoes, or even sweet potatoes.
- Vegetable Swaps: Feel free to get creative with your vegetables! Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, steamed carrots, or cauliflower are excellent additions. Frozen peas are also a great option and can be added directly without thawing.
- Garnish Ideas: Elevate your dish with garnishes like extra shredded cheese, crispy crumbled bacon, or fresh herbs such as chopped chives or rosemary.
- Spice it Up: If you like a bit of heat, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Alternatively, serve with hot sauce on the side for those who prefer a spicier kick.
Overhead shot of slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli in a crockpot.
Instant Pot Instructions for Speedy Chicken and Broccoli
For those days when you need dinner on the table even faster, you can easily adapt this Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe for the Instant Pot:
- Pressure Cook Chicken: Place chicken breasts and chicken broth in the Instant Pot. Sprinkle all seasonings over the chicken. Close 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 shred. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Add broccoli, cream of chicken soup, and cheddar soup.
- Sauté: 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 sauté mode and switch to ‘warm’. Stir in sour cream and cheese until fully melted and combined. Let it sit for a few minutes to heat through. Serve as desired.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli is perfect for meal prepping and can be prepared in advance in several ways:
- Fridge Prep: Assemble all ingredients in the crockpot up to the cooking step. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. Cook as directed, adding about an hour to the cooking time if starting from cold.
- Advance Chicken Cooking: Cook the chicken and shred it ahead of time. Refrigerate the shredded chicken (in sauce or separately) for up to 3 days. Reheat in the slow cooker (1-2 hours on low) or on the stovetop, then add broccoli and remaining ingredients as directed.
- Freezing Instructions: Cook and shred the chicken. Let it cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the crockpot (1-2 hours on high) or stovetop.
- Leftover Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Enjoy the ease and deliciousness of this Pioneer Woman Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe. It’s a comforting, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for any occasion!
