Description
This Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken Rice Skillet is a quick and comforting one-pan meal combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and fluffy rice all cooked together with savory seasonings and topped with melted reduced-fat cheese. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
Rice & Liquids
- 1 1/4 cups long-grain rice (like jasmine or basmati)
- 2 1/2 cups fat-free chicken stock
Cheese
- 2/3 cup shredded, reduced-fat cheese, divided
Instructions
- Season and sear chicken: Season the diced chicken breast with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over high heat. Sear the chicken pieces until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Lower the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until they soften and become fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Toast the rice: Add the long-grain rice to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir and cook the rice for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast it and bring out its nutty flavor.
- Add stock and season: Pour in the fat-free chicken stock, add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the rice: Once boiling, cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cook for 8 minutes, allowing the rice to begin absorbing the liquid.
- Add broccoli and chicken: Remove the lid and layer the chopped broccoli florets and the seared chicken pieces evenly over the rice. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 7 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Melt the cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in one-third (1/3 cup) of the shredded reduced-fat cheese into the rice mixture until melted and evenly distributed. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the skillet contents. Cover again and let it sit for about 5 minutes, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese on top.
Notes
- Serving size is 1 2/3 cup.
- For Weight Watchers: Green SmartPoints are 9, Blue and Purple SmartPoints are 7 per serving.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your stove and skillet.
- Use chicken stock that is low-sodium or homemade for better flavor control.
- Can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like cauliflower or green beans as preferred.
Keywords: cheesy chicken skillet, broccoli chicken rice, one-pan chicken dinner, healthy chicken recipes, quick skillet meals