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Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli

Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli - recipe card
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Creamy, comforting, and remarkably easy, this slow cooker chicken and broccoli features tender chicken breasts and crisp-tender broccoli florets in a rich, savory cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a satisfying one-pot meal that pairs beautifully with rice or noodles, delivering classic flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (4 tbsp)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer, overlapping slightly if needed.
  2. Pour the chicken broth around the chicken (not directly over the seasonings, to avoid washing them off). Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours or on HIGH for 1 1/2 hours, until the chicken is just cooked through and registers 165°F / 74°C when checked with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the cream sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is fully melted and foaming, sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and golden (this is a roux). Cook until the raw flour smell is gone and the roux is lightly browned.
  4. Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, whisking every minute or so, for 5–7 minutes, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and Dijon mustard until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste if needed. Cover and set aside.
  6. Once the chicken is cooked, carefully transfer the chicken pieces to a cutting board. Using two forks or tongs, shred the chicken into bite-size chunks (or slice into strips). Set aside.
  7. Add the broccoli florets to the slow cooker with the remaining cooking liquid. Toss gently to coat, then cover and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes, until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender (easily pierced with a fork but still firm).
  8. Pour the prepared cream sauce into the slow cooker and stir in the shredded chicken and the broccoli until everything is evenly coated. Cover and cook on LOW for an additional 15–20 minutes to heat everything through and meld the flavors. The sauce will thicken slightly as it sits.
  9. Just before serving, stir in the lemon juice if using, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or roasted potatoes.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken upon cooling; add a splash of broth or milk when reheating. Freezing: This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often, until hot (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C if using a meat thermometer). Reheating: For single servings, microwave covered on medium power in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals. For best texture, add broccoli fresh when serving if freezing—or accept softer broccoli after thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken and broccoli, creamy chicken broccoli, Pioneer Woman recipe, chicken and broccoli casserole, crockpot chicken, easy weeknight dinner, one pot dinner, comfort food, chicken breast recipe, broccoli recipe

Find it online: https://inspiredbypioneerwoman.com/pioneer-woman-slow-cooker-chicken-and-broccoli-recipe/