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Weeknight • Chicken

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Skillet

A hearty, cheesy skillet meal packed with tender chicken, wholesome rice, and fresh broccoli, perfect for a family weeknight.

Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Skillet

This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Skillet is the ultimate comfort food hack for busy weeknights! It's got everything you love: juicy chicken, vibrant broccoli, and fluffy rice all swimming in a creamy, dreamy cheesy sauce, all cooked in one pan. Less mess, more deliciousness!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the rinsed rice until well coated with any remaining oil/fat. Pour in chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer. Return chicken to the skillet.

  4. Step 4

    Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, stir in the broccoli florets on top of the rice mixture. Recover and continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, and broccoli is tender-crisp. Avoid lifting the lid too often.

  5. Step 5

    Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

  • Rinsing the rice helps remove excess starch, preventing a gummy texture.
  • For a touch of creaminess without extra dairy, stir in a spoonful of cream cheese or sour cream at the very end when adding the cheddar.

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