Description
Hearty chicken alfredo pasta brings comforting Italian-American flavors to dinner tables. Rich ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins & Dairy:
- 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups (480 milliliters/16 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters/4 ounces) sour cream or Greek yogurt
Vegetables:
- 1 lb (454 grams) broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
Pantry & Seasonings:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) long-grain brown rice or risotto rice, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dice chicken breasts into uniform, bite-sized morsels approximately 1-1½ inches, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
- Whisk chicken broth, sour cream, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper directly in the slow cooker until thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Distribute rinsed rice evenly across the liquid mixture, then carefully nestle chicken pieces throughout, guaranteeing complete submersion and flavor integration.
- Strategically arrange broccoli florets atop the rice and chicken, creating a vibrant green layer that will steam and soften during cooking.
- Secure slow cooker lid and set temperature: low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours, monitoring until chicken reaches safe internal temperature and rice absorbs liquid completely.
- Gently fold half the grated cheddar cheese into the dish, allowing it to melt and create creamy pockets of flavor throughout the meal.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese across the surface, covering for an additional 15 minutes to create a golden, bubbling cheese topping before serving immediately.
Notes
- Choose skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that absorbs flavors beautifully and reduces overall fat content.
- Select low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize seasoning according to dietary preferences.
- Swap regular rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that maintains the dish’s creamy texture and comforting appeal.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives after cooking to brighten the flavor and introduce a fresh, vibrant element to the creamy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 569 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg