One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice
A comforting one-pot dish featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy cheese melded with fluffy rice for a kid-friendly meal. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, diced medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1, diced medium onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through, then remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice and toast for 1 minute until slightly translucent. Pour in 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Then add 2 cups fresh broccoli florets on top, cover again, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until rice is tender and broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Stir in the cooked chicken and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese until cheese melts and everything is combined, about 2 minutes. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
