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This slow cooker chicken and broccoli is tender, flavorful, and better than takeout. With only 10 minutes of prep, you will have a family-friendly meal ready to serve over rice.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli with Savory Sauce
This slow cooker chicken and broccoli recipe comes together with just a few ingredients and ten minutes of prep time. By the time the crockpot works its magic, the chicken is tender, the broccoli is perfectly cooked, and the sauce is thick and delicious. Serve it over a bed of rice, and it’s the perfect dinner. It tastes like take-out but better! This dish is a family favorite and will become yours too after you make it.
Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this dish, along with some simple substitution recommendations.
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts – The base of the dish. You can use chicken thighs or turkey breast as an alternative.
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets – Adds a fresh crunch and nutrients. Add frozen broccoli in the last hour of cooking instead of fresh, if needed.
- 2 cups chicken broth – Keeps the chicken moist. Vegetable broth or beef broth will also work.
- 1/3 cup soy sauce – Adds a savory flavor that enrichens the sauce.
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup – Adds a mild sweetness that balances the salty flavor. Use honey or agave as an alternative.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil – Provides a nutty flavor. Use olive oil for a milder flavor profile.
- 1 teaspoon salt – Enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 teaspoon pepper – Adds a mild kick to the dish.
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic – Use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you do not have fresh garlic.
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder – You can substitute 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger.
- 1 Tablespoon dried onion flakes – Use ½ small fresh finely diced onion instead of onion flakes.
- 2 Tablespoons corn starch + 3 Tablespoons water – Thickens the sauce. You could also make a flour slurry.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
Combine chicken, broccoli, and sauce in the slow cooker, let it cook, then thicken the sauce at the end.
Let me show you how:
- Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray.
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom. Add the broccoli on top.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, salt, pepper, garlic, ginger, and onion flakes. Pour the mixture over the chicken and broccoli.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours (or low for 5–6 hours). For crisper broccoli, add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker. Cover and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the chicken and broccoli over rice. Sprinkle it with sesame seeds and enjoy.
Top Recipe Tips
For the best texture, add broccoli in the last 30 minutes if you prefer it crisp-tender.
For an extra flavor boost, toast the sesame seeds before sprinkling them on top.
Make It A Meal
Serve these thick and chewy Chocolate Rice Krispies for a quick treat after dinner.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 Tablespoon dried onion flakes
- 2 Tablespoons corn starch
- 3 Tablespoons water
FOR SERVING:
- White Rice
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray.
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the broccoli on top.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, salt, pepper, garlic, ginger, and onion flakes. Pour the mixture over the chicken and broccoli.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours (or low for 5–6 hours). For crisper broccoli, add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with water to form a slurry. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve over rice, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Recipe FAQs
Yes, make the rice separately to prevent overcooking in the slow cooker.
You can make the sauce the day before and store it in the fridge before adding it to the crockpot to cook.
Instead of rice, you can make noodles, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice.
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