Hey friends! Who doesn’t love a one-pot meal that’s creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor? This Broccoli Chicken Rice is the perfect dish for busy weeknights. It has tender chicken, cheesy goodness, and a slight crunch from the broccoli, making every bite delicious. The best part? Everything cooks together in one pot, so cleanup is easy! Let’s get started!
Method
Cooking the Chicken
Begin by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cubed chicken and season it with salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir occasionally, ensuring that each piece gets evenly coated with seasoning. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken turns lightly browned on the outside. The goal is to get a slight sear while keeping the inside tender. Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer it to a plate and set it aside.
Sauteing the Aromatics
In the same pot, add the butter and diced onions. Stir them around for about 2 minutes, allowing them to soften and become translucent. The onions will release their natural sweetness, enhancing the dish’s flavor. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can turn bitter.
Now, sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly. This creates a light roux, which will help thicken the sauce as it cooks. Stir for another minute, ensuring the flour is fully incorporated and no raw flour taste remains.
Adding the Rice and Liquid
Slowly pour in the chicken broth and milk, stirring consistently to break up any lumps from the roux. Once the mixture becomes smooth, add the washed long-grain rice. Stir well so that the rice is evenly distributed throughout the liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the rich flavors.
Adding the Broccoli and Cheese
After 15 minutes, remove the lid and carefully stir in the broccoli florets. Spread them evenly across the rice so they cook uniformly. Cover the pot again and let it cook for another 5 minutes, just until the broccoli is tender but still has a slight crunch.
Once the broccoli has reached the perfect texture, turn off the heat and add the shredded marble cheese. Stir everything together until the cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy consistency. The heat from the rice and sauce will help melt the cheese, binding all the ingredients together.
Serve and Enjoy
Your Broccoli Chicken Rice is now ready to serve! Scoop generous portions into bowls while warm and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and crunchy broccoli makes this a comforting and satisfying meal for any day of the week.
Necessary Tools
- Large pot or deep skillet
- Cutting board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Grater for shredding cheese
Broccoli Chicken Rice Recipe
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes30
minutes45
minutesIngredients
3 chicken breasts, cubed
1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
1.5 cups long-grain rice, washed
2 cups milk
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups marble cheese, shredded
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon thyme
Directions
- Cooking the Chicken: Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and season it with salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir occasionally, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on the outside. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
- Sautéing the Aromatics: In the same pot, add butter and diced onions. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring until the onions become soft and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour, mixing well to create a light roux. This will help thicken the sauce later.
- Adding the Rice and Liquid:Pour in the chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Once the mixture is smooth, add the washed long-grain rice. Stir everything together, making sure the rice is evenly spread out. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it cook for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the flavors.
- Adding the Broccoli and Cheese: After 15 minutes, remove the lid and add the broccoli florets. Gently stir them into the rice. Cover again and cook for another 5 minutes until the broccoli becomes tender but still has a slight crunch. Once done, turn off the heat and stir in the shredded marble cheese. Mix everything together until the cheese melts and creates a creamy texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your Broccoli Chicken Rice is now ready to serve! Scoop it into bowls while warm and enjoy the cheesy, creamy goodness. The tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and crunchy broccoli make this a comforting and satisfying meal.Don’t skip washing the rice it helps remove excess starch so the dish doesn’t get too sticky.
Notes
- Don’t skip washing the rice it helps remove excess starch so the dish doesn’t get too sticky.
- Stir frequently while adding milk and broth to prevent lumps from forming.
- Make sure the broccoli is not overcooked it should be tender but still slightly crisp.
- Let the dish rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of garlic bread for extra flavor.
- Pair with a fresh green salad to balance the creaminess.
- Sprinkle extra parmesan cheese on top for even more cheesy goodness.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes if you like a little heat!
Fun Fact
Did you know that broccoli is packed with vitamin C? Just one cup of broccoli gives you more than your daily dose of this immune-boosting vitamin. Plus, it adds a delicious crunch to this creamy dish!
Conclusion
This Broccoli Chicken Rice is a simple, delicious, and satisfying meal that everyone will love! It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor, making it perfect for family dinners. Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out. Happy cooking!
