Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli

I don't believe in a slower cooker season. What's not to like about dinner cooking away all afternoon, no matter what the weather? Even as the Spring warms (ever so sloooooooowly) I still aim to use mine at least once a week. It's perfect for the days we are running to ballet, karate, and soccer right around the dinner hour. Cause really, if I hadn't planned a head, what would be the chances of serving up a home cooked meal when I walk in the house with 3 STARVING kids at 5:45?

Note....STARVING is their word, not mine. And it's always accompanied by bodies that can no longer support their own weight and a chorus of whine.

This recipe caught my eye immediately in an America's Test Kitchen cookbook. I changed a couple things around and adapted to our tastes, but it still delivers on the melty, cheesy goodness I know and love. And the bonus? It's a melty, cheesy broccoli vehicle.

~Erin

 

Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Brocoli

Author: Erin (adapted from America's Test Kitchen)

Prep time: 20 mins

Total time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 3 T. vegetable oil


• 2 onions, minced


• 4 garlic cloves, minced


• 1 tsp. dried oregano


• 3 T. flour


• 1 c. chicken broth


• 1/2 c. heavy cream


• 1 tsp. dried mustard


• 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs


• salt and pepper


• 2 c. rice, cooked


• 1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded


• 1/2 c. parmesan cheese, grated


• 12 oz. broccoli florets, fresh or frozen (see note)

Instructions

1. Heat 2 T. of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, and oregano and cook until onions are softened.


2. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.


3. Whisk in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits, until no lumps remain. Pour mixture into slow cooker.


4. Stir in heavy cream and dried mustard into slow cooker.


5. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, add to slow cooker, turning to coat. Cook 4-6 hours on low.


6. Break up chicken into bite size pieces with a wooden spoon. Stir in cooked rice, cheddar, parmesan, and 1 tsp. salt.


7. Cook broccoli in microwave until tender. Gently fold into casserole in slow cooker. Serve.

Notes

To avoid a broccoli and rice mush, cook them separately instead of with the chicken in the slow cooker. I use "steam in bag" frozen broccoli (12-ish ounces), and pre-cooked brown rice. A frozen rice is often available right along side the frozen veggies in the grocery store. Follow the directions for each on the bag and add them (cooked and hot!) to your chicken. Other options are leftover rice from a previous meal, and fresh broccoli steamed on the stove top. Watch your chicken cooking time as well. I find that chicken can be done long before a recipe says, depending on your slow cooker. If you use chicken breasts instead of thighs, be aware they take less time to cook through.

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