Oh my goodness, are you *tired* of figuring out what to make for dinner after a long day? Yeah, me too! That’s why I am SO excited to share my absolute go-to, the Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken And Broccoli Recipe. Seriously, this thing is a lifesaver. You basically just toss everything in, forget about it, and come back to the most tender, flavorful chicken and perfectly cooked broccoli swimming in this ridiculously yummy sauce. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a kitchen wizard, even when you’re running on fumes. I whipped this up last week after a crazy day at work, and my whole family practically inhaled it – no complaints, no fuss, just pure deliciousness!
Why This Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken And Broccoli Recipe Is a Weeknight Winner
Okay, let’s talk about why this slow cooker chicken and broccoli is my absolute best friend on a busy weeknight. Trust me, it’s more than just easy; it’s a game-changer:
- Seriously Simple Prep: We’re talking maybe 10 minutes, tops. You just dump stuff in. No fancy chopping skills needed, no complicated steps. It’s honestly almost silly how easy it is!
- Barely Any Cleanup: This is HUGE. All the magic happens in ONE pot – your slow cooker. That means one pot to wash (or maybe none if you use a liner, wink wink) and fewer dishes piling up. You’re welcome.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Even the pickiest eaters in my house gobble this up. The chicken is so tender, and the sauce is super comforting. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Set It and Forget It: This is the beauty of the slow cooker, right? You can literally set it up in the morning or afternoon and it’s ready when you are. No last-minute kitchen chaos.
- Super Versatile: While it’s amazing as is, you can totally tweak it. Add different veggies, serve it over pasta or rice – it’s a blank canvas for deliciousness!
- Budget-Friendly: Using chicken breasts and a can of soup keeps this meal super affordable, which is always a win in my book.
Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken And Broccoli
Alright, let’s get down to business! The beauty of this recipe is how simple the ingredient list is. You probably have most of this in your pantry right now. Here’s what you’ll need to snag:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (these cook up so wonderfully tender!)
- 1 head of broccoli, cut into nice, bite-sized florets
- One can (that’s 10.5 oz, folks!) of condensed cream of chicken soup – this is like the magic binder!
- A good half cup of milk
- About 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (or more, I won’t tell!)
- Just a pinch or 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- And a tiny dash, 1/8 teaspoon, of garlic powder for that extra kick.
See? Totally doable. No weird ingredients here, just good old comfort food basics!
Simple Steps to Make Your Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken And Broccoli
Alright, buckle up, because this is where the magic *really* happens, and it’s ridiculously easy! We’re talking minimal effort for maximum yummy reward. My favorite part? You can seriously just throw it all in and walk away.
Prepping the Chicken and Sauce
First things first, grab your slow cooker. Lay those beautiful chicken breasts right at the bottom. Now, in a separate bowl – think of it as the flavor party zone – whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, pepper, and garlic powder. It should look nice and creamy. Pour this glorious mixture right over the chicken. Easy peasy, right?
Slow Cooking to Perfection
Pop the lid on tight, set your slow cooker to LOW, and let it do its thing for about 4 to 6 hours. The chicken will get unbelievably tender during this time. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s cooked through and falls apart easily with a fork. Honestly, the aroma that fills your house during this stage is just heavenly!
Adding the Broccoli and Finishing Touches
Now for the green goodness! About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, gently stir in those broccoli florets. They’ll steam right in the sauce and become perfectly tender-crisp. Give everything a good stir to make sure the broccoli is coated in that yummy sauce. And that’s basically it! Your irresistible slow cooker chicken and broccoli is ready to go.
If you want to check out some other super simple slow cooker meals, these creamy chicken recipes and chicken casseroles are also fantastic!
Tips for the Best Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken And Broccoli
Okay, so this recipe is pretty foolproof, but I’ve picked up a few little tricks over the years that *really* make it sing. You know, those little things that take it from good to absolutely amazing! For starters, don’t be afraid to play with your soup. If you can’t find cream of chicken, cream of mushroom works too, or even cream of celery for a slightly different vibe. And for the chicken, remember slow cookers can be a little quirky! If yours runs super hot, you might only need 4 hours on low; if it’s a bit more gentle, you might need the full 6. Just keep an eye on that chicken – you want it fork-tender, not dried out!
Want to amp up the flavor? I sometimes add a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire to the soup mix for an extra savory punch. And if you’re feeling a little fancy, a sprinkle of some fresh parsley at the end is always a lovely touch. Oh, and for those of you who love a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the soup mixture works wonders! If you’re curious about more ways to jazz up chicken, check out these chicken dishes or for more slow cooker goodies check out these slow cooker meals!
Serving Suggestions for Your Chicken and Broccoli Dish
So, you’ve got this gorgeous, steaming pot of Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli, what do you do next? Well, this dish is practically a meal in itself, but why stop there? I love serving it over fluffy white rice or a bed of tender pasta – it’s perfect for soaking up all that amazing sauce. If you’re wanting something a little lighter, a simple side salad with a zesty vinaigrette is absolutely divine. You could even serve it alongside some crusty bread for dipping, because who can resist dipping? For more ideas on complementing chicken dishes, check out these side dish recipes or these hearty pasta dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions about Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken And Broccoli
Got questions about whipping up this deliciousness? I’ve got you covered! Here are some things people often ask:
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are super forgiving in the slow cooker and can often take a bit longer to cook. You can definitely swap them out – just make sure they’re cooked through, which might take an extra hour on low. They’ll be extra juicy!
What if I don’t have cream of chicken soup?
No worries at all! Cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or even a can of condensed French onion soup will work just fine and add a different, but still yummy, flavor profile to your slow cooker chicken and broccoli.
How can I make this chicken and broccoli dish spicier?
If you like a little heat, I totally get it! Just add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes to the soup mixture before you pour it over the chicken. You could also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce alongside the other liquid ingredients. Adjust to your spice preference!
Can I add other vegetables to the slow cooker?
Definitely! This recipe is super flexible. You can throw in some sliced carrots, peas, or even some chopped bell peppers along with the broccoli during the last 30 minutes or so. Just make sure they’re not too dense, or you might want to add them a little earlier.
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, and they can totally change depending on the brands you use and exactly how much you, you know, *might* sneak into your bowl! But generally, for one serving of this Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli, you’re looking at:
- Calories: Around 350
- Fat: About 15g (5g saturated)
- Protein: A solid 40g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 10g
- Sodium: Around 700mg
It’s a pretty balanced meal, especially for how easy it is!
Print
Irresistible Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A simple and delicious slow cooker recipe for tender chicken and broccoli in a savory sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, milk, cheddar cheese, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Pour the soup mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Add broccoli florets during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Stir to combine and serve hot.
Notes
- Serve over rice or pasta for a complete meal.
- You can add other vegetables like carrots or peas.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, chicken and broccoli, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food