Description
Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken is the ultimate cozy comfort food. Packed with tender chicken, rich cheddar cheese, fresh broccoli, and a creamy sauce, this slow-cooker recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping ahead.
Ingredients
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp chili powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
¾ cup salsa verde
¼ cup water
1 cup milk or heavy cream
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
Optional: 3 tbsp salted butter, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tsp fresh thyme (for garlic butter topping)
Instructions
Place the sliced onions in the bottom of the crockpot. Lay the chicken on top and season with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Pour salsa verde and water over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Shred the chicken slightly using two forks, then stir in the milk, cubed cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Add the broccoli florets and cook on high for another 15 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
Optional: While the cheese is melting, make the garlic butter topping by browning butter in a small skillet with garlic and thyme until golden. Drizzle over the dish before serving.
Serve hot over rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes, and garnish with fresh parsley or cracked black pepper.
Notes
You can use frozen broccoli, just add it directly without thawing.
This recipe is flexible substitute chicken thighs for extra flavor or use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for a lighter version.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups (approximate)
- Calories: 612
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, slow cooker chicken, cheesy chicken and broccoli