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Cheesy chicken broccoli rice bake dish served in a bowl

One-Pan Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice

This delightful combination of tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and creamy, cheesy rice offers warmth and comfort. Perfect for busy weeknights, it's easy to follow and requires minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the chicken and rice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion (diced finely)
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 cup uncooked extra long grain white rice
  • 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2.5 cups broccoli florets (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

Method
 

Cooking
  1. In a large skillet or pan, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent.
  2. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Once the onions have softened, increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken to the pan.
  3. Brown the chicken pieces, cooking for about 5-6 minutes until they're no longer pink. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  4. Push the chicken to one side of the pan. Add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to the empty side, and incorporate the uncooked rice into the olive oil.
  5. Sauté the rice for a couple of minutes, letting it soak in the flavors.
  6. Pour the low-sodium chicken broth into the pan and bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pan with a lid, and let it cook for about 12 minutes.
  8. After 12 minutes, sprinkle the broccoli evenly over the chicken and rice mixture and stir to combine.
  9. Cover again and continue to cook on low for another 8 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and the rice has absorbed most of the liquid.
  10. Remove the pan from heat and stir in half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and evenly distributed.
  11. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover with a lid, and allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes to let the cheese melt.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding spices such as paprika, cumin, or a dash of cayenne to the chicken seasoning. You can substitute the broccoli with other vegetables like cauliflower or peas.