Cheesy Brocolli, Chicken, and Rice Bowls
This Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Bowls recipe is easy to make for lunch meal prep or weeknight dinners, it is tossed with a lightened-up cheddar cheese sauce, and it’s totally comforting and delicious!
- Author: sarra
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 batch cheddar cheese sauce (see below)
- 3 cups cooked rice or quinoa
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese*, for topping
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup warmed milk
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese*
- Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, or until no longer pink inside and registering 165°F. Transfer to a plate and let rest 5 minutes, then dice.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same pan. Add broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and sauté 4–5 minutes until tender-crisp. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan (or a separate saucepan), melt butter. Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in stock, then milk, pepper, and salt. Simmer until thickened, then stir in shredded cheese until melted. Remove from heat.
- Toss the cooked chicken and broccoli with the cheese sauce until evenly combined. Serve immediately over rice or portion into meal-prep containers with rice, topping with extra cheese. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Notes
- I recommend purchasing a block of cheddar cheese and grating it yourself rather than buying pre-shredded — it melts more smoothly without added anti-caking agents.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (292g)
- Calories: 704
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 452mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g monounsaturated, 3g polyunsaturated
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 114mg
Keywords: meal prep, cheddar cheese sauce, chicken, broccoli, rice, comfort food