Description
This one-pan cheesy chicken broccoli rice is a comforting and easy-to-make family favorite. Featuring tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and creamy melted cheddar cheese all cooked together with fluffy rice, this dish is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb or 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 oz or 113 g)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Toast the Rice: In the same skillet with remaining fat, add the uncooked long-grain rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes while stirring frequently to enhance the rice’s nutty flavor.
- Simmer the Rice: Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes to allow the rice to cook and absorb the broth.
- Add Broccoli: Place the broccoli florets on top of the rice in the skillet. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes to steam the broccoli until tender but still vibrant.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently stir to combine all ingredients, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork and mix in the chicken and broccoli thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving warm.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control salt levels in the dish.
- Fresh or frozen broccoli florets work equally well; just adjust cooking time slightly if using frozen.
- Substitute cheddar with other melty cheeses if preferred, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- This dish can easily be doubled for larger families or for leftovers.
- Ensure the skillet has a tight-fitting lid to properly steam the rice and broccoli.
