Slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners. This Pioneer Woman inspired recipe is incredibly easy to make, packed with flavor, and a guaranteed family favorite. Imagine tender chicken and broccoli florets enveloped in a rich, cheesy sauce – all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker.
Slow cookers are a lifesaver for creating delicious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort. Just like the Pioneer Woman herself, we love recipes that are practical, hearty, and bring everyone to the table. If you enjoy the ease of slow cooking, you’ll also want to try these other fantastic recipes: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon, Slow Cooker Jambalaya, and Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef.
Overhead shot of slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli over rice plated.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Pioneer Woman Inspired Chicken and Broccoli
- Effortless Weeknight Dinner: This recipe is incredibly simple. Dump the ingredients into your slow cooker, and let it work its magic. Perfect for those days when you need a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen, just like Ree Drummond would appreciate!
- Flavor Explosion: The creamy combination of soups, savory chicken, and tender-crisp broccoli, topped with melted cheddar cheese, is pure comfort food bliss. The touch of Cajun seasoning adds a unique depth that elevates the flavor without being overly spicy, making it kid-friendly and satisfying for adults alike.
- Family-Approved Goodness: Get ready for smiles around the dinner table! This creamy chicken and broccoli is a guaranteed hit with picky eaters and food lovers of all ages. It’s the kind of meal that becomes a regular request in your household.
- Pioneer Woman Pantry Staples: This recipe utilizes common pantry ingredients, making it convenient and budget-friendly. You likely already have most of what you need on hand, embodying the practical and resourceful cooking style of the Pioneer Woman.
Key Ingredients for Your Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
This recipe relies on simple, readily available ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying meal. Let’s break down each component:
- Cream of Chicken Soup: The base of our creamy sauce! You can use store-bought for convenience, or for an extra homemade touch, try making your own cream of chicken soup. Pioneer Woman often emphasizes homemade touches when possible, but appreciates store-bought shortcuts too!
- Cheddar Soup: This adds an extra layer of cheesy goodness and complements the cream of chicken soup beautifully. Look for it in the canned soup aisle near the cream soups.
- Chicken Broth: Enhances the chicken flavor and adds moisture to the slow cooker, ensuring tender results. Low sodium broth is a good option to control the salt level.
- Seasoning Power Duo: Cajun Seasoning & Garlic Salt: This is where the flavor magic happens! The Cajun seasoning brings warmth and depth, while garlic salt adds savory notes. The combination is perfectly balanced and not too spicy, making it family-friendly.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean protein of choice. Chicken breasts cook beautifully in the slow cooker, becoming incredibly tender and easy to shred.
- Sour Cream: Stirred in at the end, sour cream adds a delightful richness and tang to the sauce, creating that signature creamy texture. Full-fat or reduced-fat both work well.
- Broccoli Florets: The star vegetable! You can use fresh or frozen broccoli florets. If using frozen, no need to thaw them first – just toss them in. Pioneer Woman often uses fresh vegetables, but frozen is a great time-saver!
- Cheddar Cheese: For that irresistible cheesy topping! Medium cheddar provides a nice balance of flavor and meltability. Feel free to use sharp cheddar for a bolder taste or mild cheddar for a milder flavor profile.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
Get ready for a super simple cooking process! This slow cooker chicken and broccoli recipe is practically foolproof.
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Get Your Crockpot Ready: Lightly spray a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. This helps with easy cleanup later.
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Combine the Creamy Base: In the crockpot, combine the cream of chicken soup, cheddar soup, chicken broth, salt, Cajun seasoning, and garlic salt. Stir everything together until well combined, creating a smooth sauce base.
Overhead shot of soups, broth and seasonings in the bottom of a crockpot. -
Add the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly over the soup mixture in the slow cooker. Ensure they are somewhat submerged in the sauce.
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Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours. Cooking on low for a longer period generally results in more tender chicken.
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Shred the Chicken: About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, open the lid and shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks. It should shred easily at this point.
Overhead shot of someone shredding chicken with two forks in sauce in the crockpot. -
Add Remaining Ingredients: Now, add the broccoli florets, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine everything with the shredded chicken and creamy sauce.
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Final Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot again and cook for the remaining 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp and heated through, and the cheese is melted and gooey.
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Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Pioneer Woman inspired slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli hot over rice, pasta, or your favorite base. Garnish with extra shredded cheese or fresh herbs, if desired.
Overhead shot of slow cooker creamy chicken and broccoli in a crockpot.
Serving Suggestions for Pioneer Woman Chicken and Broccoli
This versatile dish can be served in numerous ways! Here are some of our favorite suggestions, inspired by hearty Pioneer Woman style meals:
- Over Rice: Classic white rice, brown rice, or even wild rice are all excellent choices for soaking up that delicious creamy sauce.
- Pasta Power: Serve it over egg noodles, rotini, penne, or your preferred pasta shape for a comforting pasta bake feel.
- Potato Perfection: Baked potatoes or sweet potatoes are fantastic bases. Try topping a fluffy baked potato with a generous serving of creamy chicken and broccoli.
- Grain Bowls: For a healthier twist, serve over quinoa or riced cauliflower.
- Side Dish Pairings: Complete your Pioneer Woman style meal with a side of cornbread, biscuits, or a simple side salad.
Tips and Variations Inspired by The Pioneer Woman
Want to customize your slow cooker chicken and broccoli? Here are some easy and delicious variations:
- Chicken Variety: For a richer flavor, try using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. You may want to cut them into bite-sized pieces before cooking as they don’t shred quite as easily as chicken breasts.
- Veggielicious Swaps: Not a broccoli fan? Swap it out or add other vegetables! Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, steamed carrots, cauliflower, or even frozen peas (add them in the last 15 minutes of cooking) would be delicious.
- Spice it Up (or Down): Control the heat level by adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning. For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or serve with hot sauce on the side. For a milder version, reduce the Cajun seasoning slightly.
- Cheese Lovers Unite: Experiment with different cheeses! Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella would all be fantastic.
- Herbaceous Touch: Fresh herbs like chopped chives, parsley, or rosemary, sprinkled on top before serving, add a lovely fresh flavor.
Make-Ahead and Storage for Your Pioneer Woman Chicken and Broccoli
This recipe is great for meal prepping and leftovers! Here’s how to handle make-ahead and storage:
- Prep Ahead for the Fridge: Assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker (except for broccoli, sour cream, and cheese). Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, place the crockpot insert into the slow cooker base and cook as directed, adding broccoli, sour cream, and cheese in the last 30 minutes.
- Cook Chicken in Advance: Cook the chicken and sauce as directed up to the shredding step. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the slow cooker or on the stovetop until heated through, then add broccoli, sour cream, and cheese and continue as directed.
- Freezer-Friendly Meal: Cook the chicken and sauce, shred the chicken, and let it cool completely. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the slow cooker or on the stovetop until heated through. Add broccoli, sour cream, and cheese and cook until broccoli is tender and cheese is melted.
- Leftover Love: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat thoroughly in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
Enjoy the ease and deliciousness of this Pioneer Woman inspired slow cooker chicken and broccoli recipe! It’s a comforting, family-friendly meal that’s sure to become a new favorite.
