Get ready to meet your new weeknight dinner hero. This Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers a deliciously creamy, savory sauce and perfectly tender chicken every single time. It’s a healthy, satisfying dish the whole family will love, and the best part? Your slow cooker does all the work.
If you’re searching for a recipe that combines convenience with incredible flavor, you’ve found it. We’re skipping the canned soups and using simple, wholesome ingredients to create a rich, flavorful sauce from scratch. It’s the kind of comforting meal that makes busy days feel a little bit easier.
Why This Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli is a Weeknight Winner
This isn’t just another slow cooker recipe; it’s a game-changer for your dinner routine. It’s designed to be incredibly simple without sacrificing taste.
Minimal Prep: With just about 10 minutes of prep time, you can have this meal cooking away while you handle the rest of your day. It’s a true lifesaver on busy schedules.
Healthy & Wholesome: We use lean chicken breast and a homemade sauce, making this a much healthier alternative to takeout or recipes that rely on processed ingredients. For more ideas, check out our collection of healthy crockpot recipes.
Incredibly Flavorful: The chicken slowly simmers in a savory blend of garlic, herbs, and chicken broth, making it unbelievably tender and infused with flavor.
Family-Approved: The creamy sauce and familiar flavors make this dish a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of pantry staples to bring this creamy Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli to life. The magic is in the simplicity!
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for their lean protein and tenderness.
Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets, added near the end of cooking to keep them crisp-tender.
Chicken Broth: The base of our savory sauce. Use a low-sodium version to better control the saltiness.
Cream Cheese: The secret to a rich and creamy sauce without any canned soup.
Seasonings: A simple yet powerful combination of garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce into a luscious, velvety consistency.
Perfectly tender chicken and crisp broccoli in every bite.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli Step-by-Step
Making this slow cooker chicken and broccoli is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
Combine Sauce Ingredients: In the bottom of your slow cooker, whisk together the chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Add the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the sauce mixture, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and shred them using two forks.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Whisk the softened cream cheese into the liquid in the crockpot until smooth. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then whisk it into the crockpot to thicken the sauce.
Combine and Finish: Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot. Add the fresh broccoli florets, stir everything to combine, and cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
A few simple tricks can take this dish from great to absolutely amazing.
Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: For the best texture, add the broccoli at the very end. This keeps it from becoming mushy and preserves its vibrant green color. If you love one-pot vegetable meals, you’ll also enjoy this slow cooker chicken and vegetables recipe.
Ensure Cream Cheese is Soft: For a smooth, lump-free sauce, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature or slightly softened before whisking it in.
Thicken to Your Liking: If you prefer an even thicker sauce, simply add a little more of the cornstarch slurry until you reach your desired consistency.
A healthy and comforting meal made effortlessly in your slow cooker.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for customization. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
Add Cheese: Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese along with the cream cheese for an extra cheesy, decadent sauce.
Include Other Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, peas, or mushrooms. Add heartier vegetables like carrots at the beginning with the chicken.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings for a gentle kick of heat.
Try a Different Protein: This creamy sauce works wonderfully with boneless, skinless chicken thighs as well. For another easy chicken dish, try our Crockpot Ranch Chicken and Potatoes.
What to Serve with Your Chicken and Broccoli
This versatile Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. The creamy sauce is perfect for soaking up with your favorite base.
Rice: Serve over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa.
Pasta: Toss with cooked pasta like penne or fettuccine for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Potatoes: Spoon the mixture over creamy mashed potatoes or baked potatoes.
Low-Carb Options: For a low-carb meal, serve it with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This recipe is just as delicious the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second intervals until warm, or gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat. You may want to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
Absolutely! The slow cooker is designed to cook raw meat safely over several hours. Just ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered fully cooked.
The key is to add the broccoli florets during the last 20-30 minutes of the cooking time. This ensures they are cooked until tender-crisp but retain their texture and vibrant color.
While it is possible, it is recommended to thaw chicken before placing it in a slow cooker for food safety reasons. Using frozen chicken can keep it in the temperature ‘danger zone’ for too long. If you do use frozen, you may need to add 60-90 minutes to the cook time.
The recipe uses a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. If you prefer it even thicker, simply mix an additional tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and whisk it into the sauce until you reach your desired consistency.
For a similar creamy texture, you can substitute the cream cheese with plain Greek yogurt or heavy cream. If using Greek yogurt, stir it in at the very end with the heat off to prevent it from curdling.
Your New Favorite Slow Cooker Meal Awaits
This Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe proves that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create a memorable, delicious, and healthy meal. It’s the perfect, stress-free solution for any night of the week. We know you’ll love it as much as we do!
If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest. Happy cooking!
The easiest and most delicious Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli you'll ever make!
Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli Recipe
FL Recipes
Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli: The Ultimate Creamy & Easy Recipe
The easiest, most delicious Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli recipe! Tender chicken and crisp broccoli in a rich, creamy, homemade sauce. The perfect set-it-and-forget-it weeknight dinner that's both healthy and satisfying for the whole family.
In the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker, whisk together the chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
Place the chicken breasts in the liquid. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Add the softened cream cheese to the warm liquid in the slow cooker and whisk vigorously until smooth and fully incorporated.
In a small bowl, create a slurry by mixing the cornstarch and cold water until no lumps remain. Whisk the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker until it begins to thicken.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the fresh broccoli florets and stir everything together to coat well.
Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes, just until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 310kcalProtein: 42gFat: 12gFiber: 2g
Notes
Tip 1: For the best texture, do not add the broccoli until the last 30 minutes of cooking. This prevents it from becoming too soft. Tip 2: Ensure your cream cheese is well-softened to prevent lumps and create an ultra-smooth sauce. Tip 3: This dish is fantastic served over hot cooked rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce.
Keyword crockpot chicken and broccoli,healthy chicken recipe,slow cooker chicken
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
