Slow Cooker Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole

Sometimes nothing sounds better than a warm, creamy chicken and rice casserole.

This Slow Cooker Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole is an easy, lighter version of the old-fashioned comfort food favorite. Made with cooked chicken, rice, broccoli, cheddar cheese and cream of mushroom soup, it’s creamy, cheesy and satisfying without being overly rich.

I adapted the recipe from Slow Cooker So Easy magazine by Prevention, and it turned out to be a hit.

Rod and I both enjoyed it for dinner with a big green salad, and the leftovers made several quick and easy lunches during the week.

With just six everyday ingredients, it’s the kind of simple meal I love having in my recipe collection.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Just six ingredients. Nothing fancy or difficult to find.
• Creamy and comforting. All the familiar flavors of chicken, rice, broccoli and cheddar cheese.
• Uses cooked chicken. A great way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken.
• Lighter than many traditional casseroles. Made with reduced-fat cheese and a modest amount of creamy soup.
• Easy leftovers. Reheats nicely for lunch or another dinner.
• Family-friendly. A simple combination of ingredients that appeals to many tastes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this easy slow cooker chicken and rice casserole.

• Cooked chicken: Chopped or shredded cooked chicken breast works well. Leftover or rotisserie chicken makes preparation especially easy.
• Converted long-grain rice: Also called parboiled rice. I used Uncle Ben’s converted rice. It’s important to use the type of rice specified because different varieties absorb liquid and cook at different rates.
• Reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese: Adds creamy, cheesy flavor without making the casserole too rich.
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Creates the creamy sauce. I used an organic version, but your favorite condensed cream of mushroom soup should work.
• Chicken broth: Provides the liquid needed to cook the rice and adds savory flavor.
• Frozen broccoli florets: Thawed before adding. Stirring them in near the end helps prevent overcooking.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole

This recipe is very simple to assemble, but because it contains rice, you’ll want to keep an eye on it toward the end of cooking.

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Lightly coat a 4-quart slow cooker (affiliate link) with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

Add the cooked chicken, uncooked converted rice, shredded cheddar cheese, condensed cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth.

Stir until everything is well combined.

Step 3: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for approximately 3½ to 5 hours, or until the rice is nearly tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Begin checking earlier if your slow cooker tends to cook quickly.

Step 4: Add the Broccoli

Stir in the thawed broccoli florets.

Cover and continue cooking for about 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is heated through and the rice is tender.

Step 5: Serve

Give everything a gentle stir and serve warm.

A little freshly ground black pepper or an extra sprinkle of cheddar cheese is nice if you like.

My Most Important Tip: Watch the Rice!

This is one slow cooker recipe I’d recommend making on a day when you’re around to check on it.

When I made it, the casserole seemed soupy one minute, and the next thing I knew it was on the verge of being overdone.

Rice can absorb liquid surprisingly quickly, especially in a slow cooker.

My advice is to start checking before the suggested cooking time is up. Once the rice is tender and the mixture is creamy, it’s ready.

And don’t leave it sitting on WARM for hours. The rice will continue absorbing moisture and can become mushy or dry.

Adding the broccoli during the final 30 minutes also makes a difference. It keeps the broccoli from becoming overly soft.

Easy Variations and Substitutions

This is a flexible casserole that’s easy to adapt to your family’s tastes.

Use rotisserie chicken. It’s a convenient shortcut that makes this recipe even easier.

Try a different cheese. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack or a reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend would all be good alternatives.

Use cream of chicken soup. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, condensed cream of chicken soup is an easy substitution.

Add more vegetables. Frozen peas, carrots or a little chopped spinach would be nice additions. Keep in mind that extra vegetables may release moisture.

Add a little seasoning. Garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme or a pinch of poultry seasoning would all complement the chicken and rice.

Use brown rice? I wouldn’t substitute regular brown rice without adjusting the liquid and cooking time. Different rice varieties behave differently in the slow cooker, and the converted long-grain rice is important to the original recipe’s timing.

What to Serve with Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole

Because this casserole already includes chicken, rice and broccoli, it really doesn’t need much else.

Rod and I enjoyed ours with a big green salad, which was just right.

Other easy sides include:

• Sliced tomatoes or cucumbers
• A simple tossed green salad
• Steamed green beans
• Roasted carrots
• Fresh fruit

How Many Calories and Points in Slow Cooker Chicken Rice and Broccoli Casserole?

According to my calculations, each serving has about 226 calories.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
7 PointsPlus (Old plan)

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

One of the nice things about this recipe is that it makes tasty leftovers.

Refrigerator: Refrigerate promptly in shallow, airtight containers and use within 3 to 4 days.

Reheating: Add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the rice, then reheat until hot throughout (165°F).

Freezer: You can freeze individual portions for up to 2 to 3 months for best quality, although the rice and broccoli may soften after thawing.

Because this recipe contains cooked chicken and rice, avoid leaving leftovers sitting at room temperature for extended periods.

If you’ve made this low calorie crock pot Chicken, Rice and Broccoli, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Source: Adapted from Slow Cooker So Easy Magazine by Prevention

More Easy Chicken Casseroles and Slow Cooker Dinners

If you enjoy this creamy chicken and rice casserole, here are a few more simple recipes to try:

• Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole – Another comforting combination of chicken, rice and cheese.
• 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli – A creamy chicken and broccoli dinner with very little prep.
• Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole – A lighter take on creamy chicken noodle casserole .
• Slow Cooker Hunter Chicken Stew – A simple, comforting chicken stew.
• Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew – An easy family-friendly dinner with everyday ingredients.
• Slow Cooker Couscous-Stuffed Peppers – A different way to enjoy a satisfying slow cooker meal.

There’s something wonderful about a creamy, cheesy casserole made with ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen.

This one reminds me that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated—or especially rich—to be satisfying.

If you try this Slow Cooker Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you stick with the original ingredients or make a few changes?