Description
Hearty chicken and broccoli slow cooker dish brings comfort straight from Ree Drummond’s kitchen. Savory sauce and tender chicken meld with crisp broccoli, creating a simple yet satisfying meal families will crave all week long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4)
Sauce Ingredients:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Accompaniments and Garnishes:
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
- Cooked brown rice, for serving
- Green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant sauce by whisking together minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, Sriracha, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Transfer chicken pieces into the slow cooker, seasoning generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated and well-marinated.
- Configure the slow cooker to low temperature and allow the chicken to simmer and tenderize for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, creating a rich and flavorful base.
- Create a cornstarch slurry by blending 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) of cool water until smooth. Gradually stir this mixture into the cooking liquid to enhance sauce consistency and provide a glossy texture.
- Introduce fresh broccoli florets into the slow cooker, allowing them to cook and absorb the sauce’s complex flavors for an additional 45 to 60 minutes until tender yet crisp.
- Carefully remove the chicken, shred or chop into bite-sized pieces, then return to the slow cooker. Gently fold the meat through the sauce to ensure complete and uniform coating.
- Plate the dish by spreading steamed brown rice as a foundation, arranging the saucy chicken and broccoli mixture on top, and garnishing with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
- Preserve meal prep efficiency by preparing chicken and sauce components in advance, keeping them chilled separately overnight.
- Boost nutritional flexibility with frozen broccoli as a convenient alternative, seamlessly integrated during final cooking stages.
- Enhance health-conscious cooking by selecting low-sodium soy sauce for balanced flavor profiles.
- Transform sauce texture using cornstarch, creating a luxurious, clingy coating that elevates dish appearance.
- Extend culinary convenience with refrigerated storage options, maintaining dish quality for multiple days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 85 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg