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Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, a cozier weeknight, slow cooker meal. This comforting chicken and broccoli is tossed in a creamy, spicy salsa verde white cheddar cheese sauce, then finished with a golden garlic thyme butter, so delish. It’s the perfect hearty and delicious meal to come home to at the end of a busy day. And what’s even better is just how easy it is to prepare!

Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

And just like that, the crockpot recipes are slowly returning for the season ahead. To say that I’m excited would be an understatement. It’s not that I’m ready for chilly fall days, but I am ready to celebrate and share all of my favorite things. Baked apple recipes, dishes made with pumpkin, cozy stews and chilis, fresh bread, and warming cocktails.

As we enter into September this year, I have so much excitement. There’s so much to look forward to in the autumn months.

And the one thing I think we all know I love is creating easy, cozy dinners that we can all really enjoy.

Ingredients

  • Yellow onion 
  • Boneless chicken breasts or thighs 
  • Garlic powder 
  • Paprika 
  • Chili powder 
  • Kosher salt and black pepper 
  • Salsa verde 
  • Milk or cream 
  • Cream cheese 
  • Shredded cheddar cheese 
  • Chopped broccoli florets
  • Salted butter 
  • Garlic 
  • Fresh thyme leaves 
  • Fresh basil 
Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

At this point, I have more broccoli cheddar recipes in my toolbox than most need, but they’re all so yummy. My very favorite is a good bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. But I love my broccoli cheddar chicken noodle casserole, broccoli cheddar chicken and rice casserole and we can’t forget creamy one pot broccoli cheddar orzo.

Yes, I love this combination. But this is my first recipe for the crockpot, and I think you’ll really love it. This is the creamiest chicken, and it’s topped with a little garlic butter to make it that much more delicious.

Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

Step 1: layer the chicken

Working in the bowl of your crockpot, layer the onion, chicken, and seasonings. Pour over the salsa verde, then add some water.

Now cover the crockpot and let the chicken cook. I usually cook 1-2 hours on high or 3 to 4 hours on low.

Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 2: make the chicken creamy

Once the chicken is cooked, mix in a bit of milk or cream, a block of cream cheese, a couple of handfuls of cheddar cheese, then lots of fresh broccoli.

Now let this cook on high for 10 or 15 minutes. Just until the sauce is very creamy and the cheese has melted.

Step 3: brown the butter

Brown the butter in a small skillet with garlic and thyme. The goal is to get the butter to a nice golden color and the thyme crispy. This takes about 4-5 minutes.

This is “extra” and while you don’t need it, it makes every bite of this dish that much yummier. So I of course recommend it.

I love to serve the chicken, broccoli, and sauce over rice or creamy polenta. And then drizzle that golden butter on top.

Once you plate this, I recommend adding fresh basil on top and some crusty bread on the side. The bread is perfect for scooping up all that extra creamy sauce. 

Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other easy weeknight night dinners?? Here are my favorites: 

One Pan Herb Butter Chicken and Zucchini Rice Pilaf

Simple Thai Chicken Zucchini Meatball Curry

Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini

Slow Cooker Mustard Herb Chicken and Creamy Orzo

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup with Salty Lime Chips

30 Minute Creamy Chicken and Parmesan Sage Dumplings

Creamy Gnocchi Soup with Rosemary Bacon

Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 612 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Watch the How-To Reel

Instructions

Crockpot

  • 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, layer the onion and then the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the salsa verde and 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
    2. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the milk, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Add the broccoli. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the sauce is creamy.
    3. Melt together the butter, garlic, and thyme leaves in a small skillet set over medium heat. Cook until the butter is browning and the thyme is crisp, 4 minutes.
    4. Serve the chicken, broccoli, and sauce topped with brown butter and fresh basil. Enjoy!

Instant Pot

  • 1. In the bowl of your Instant Pot, layer the onion and then the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the salsa verde and 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
    2. Once done cooking, release the steam. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Stir in the milk, cream cheese, and cheddar. Add the broccoli. Cook 6-8 minutes, until the sauce is creamy.
    3. Melt together the butter, garlic, and thyme leaves in a small skillet set over medium heat. Cook until the butter is browning and the thyme is crisp, 4 minutes.
    4. Serve the chicken, broccoli, and sauce topped with brown butter and fresh basil. Enjoy!
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This post was originally published on August 28, 2023
4.72 from 217 votes (124 ratings without comment)

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Comments

    1. Hey Aleah,
      Wonderful! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed!

      Have a great weekend!

  1. Could I just add the garlic and thyme into the cream sauce instead of the butter sauce? My picky kids would never eat this topped with that butter sauce but I also don’t want to loose those flavors?

    1. Hi Alaina,
      So sorry, I have not tested that method with this recipe so I do not have the exact instructions.

      Please let me know if I can help in any other way!

  2. 5 stars
    This is a recipe we rotate in our house!!
    My husband is pretty picky but LOVES this recipe. We put it over rice. My kids 2&4 ages also love it!! A hit.

    1. Hey Peyton,
      Happy Sunday! Big thanks for making this recipe so often and your comment, I love that it always turns out well for you!