Description

This One Pan Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice is a comforting, family-friendly main course that combines juicy chicken, tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and melty cheese—all cooked together in a single skillet for easy prep and cleanup. It’s an ideal quick-fix meal for busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Main Dish

1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (185g) long-grain white rice, uncooked
2 cups (475ml) low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika

For the Vegetables

2 cups (150g) broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces

For Cheesy Finish

1 1/2 cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Season and Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and paprika, and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside (it won’t be fully cooked yet).
Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add Rice and Broth: Stir in uncooked rice, mixing well with the onion and garlic. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Combine and Simmer: Return the seared chicken (and its juices) to the skillet, stirring to distribute evenly. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
Add Broccoli: Remove the lid and scatter broccoli florets over the top. Replace the lid and continue simmering for another 8-10 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the liquid is mostly absorbed, and the broccoli is just cooked through.
Add Cheese: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mixture, cover the skillet once more, and let it sit for 3-4 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.
Serve: Remove from the heat, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately while warm and melty.

Notes

If using brown rice, add extra broth and increase simmering time by 15-20 minutes.
You can swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different flavor.
For extra creaminess, stir in 1/4 cup sour cream before adding cheese.
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Use rotisserie chicken for an even faster version—just add with broccoli and skip the searing step.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 41g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 33g
Cholesterol: 85mg