The Ultimate Crock-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole (So Easy!)

Imagine the ultimate comfort food casserole, a dish that combines all the cozy, cheesy flavors of your favorite broccoli cheddar soup with hearty chicken and tender egg noodles. Now, imagine it all comes together with just 10 minutes of prep in your slow cooker. That, my friends, is the incredible, weeknight-saving magic of this Crock-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole. It is, without a doubt, the easiest and most satisfying one-pot meal you will make.

I promise you, this is the kind of dish that brings the whole family running to the dinner table. The aroma that fills your house is absolutely heavenly. Every single bite is a perfect harmony of creamy, cheesy sauce, tender chicken, hearty noodles, and crisp broccoli, all finished with that irresistible crunchy topping. It’s a true one-dish wonder that will become an instant classic in your home.

Get ready to let your crock-pot do all the work and create a stunning, unforgettable dinner that will solve all your busy weeknight woes.

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Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Casserole!

You are going to be completely amazed by how much incredible flavor is packed into this simple, dump-and-go meal. It’s a guaranteed hit. Here’s why you have to make it:

• The Ultimate “Dump and Go” Dinner: With just 10 minutes of prep and a handful of simple ingredients, you can set this up in the morning and come home to a spectacular, ready-made dinner.
• Incredibly Creamy and Cheesy: The combination of heavy cream, cheddar, and Parmesan creates a rich, velvety, and deeply savory cheese sauce that is pure comfort food bliss.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Cheesy Casserole

This recipe uses a beautiful mix of fresh ingredients and comforting pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:

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→ For the Casserole

• 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1″ pieces → Or thighs, for an even juicier result.
• 1 large onion, chopped → The aromatic foundation for our sauce.
• 2 cups vegetable broth → The savory base of our creamy sauce.
• 1 cup heavy cream → For that luxurious, rich finish.
• 1 tsp. garlic powder & 1 tsp. dried oregano → Classic, easy seasonings that pack a punch.
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets → Added at the end for a perfect, crisp-tender texture.
• 1/2 lb. egg noodles, uncooked → These cook right in the sauce!
• 2 Tbsp. butter → For a final touch of richness.
• 1 cup shredded cheddar & 1/3 cup grated Parmesan → The essential cheesy goodness!

→ For the Garnish

• Crushed Ritz crackers → The perfect salty, buttery, crunchy topping.
• Freshly chopped parsley & Red pepper flakes

Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready for the easiest, most rewarding dinner ever? Let’s get that slow cooker layered up.

Part 1: The Slow Cook

1. Load the Slow Cooker: In the basin of a large slow cooker, combine the chicken pieces, chopped onion, vegetable broth, heavy cream, garlic powder, and oregano. Season generously with salt and pepper and give everything a good stir.
2. Set It and Forget It: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3 to 3 ½ hours (or on LOW for 6-7 hours), until the chicken is cooked through and incredibly tender.

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Part 2: The Finishing Touches

3. Add Pasta and Broccoli: Stir the fresh broccoli florets and the uncooked egg noodles into the hot chicken mixture. Cover the slow cooker again and continue to cook on HIGH for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
4. The Cheesy Finish: Stir in the butter until it’s melted. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the casserole.
5. Melt the Cheese: Cover the pot one last time and let it cook for about 2 more minutes, just until the cheeses are beautifully melted and gooey.
6. Garnish and Serve: Top the finished casserole with a generous amount of crushed Ritz crackers, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve hot!

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Crock-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole

This easy 7-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing is the ultimate comfort food! Tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and a buttery stuffing topping all come together in your slow cooker for an easy dinner idea that’s perfect for busy families.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 625

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1″ pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• as needed Kosher salt and Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1/2 lb. egg noodles
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
• as needed Crushed Ritz crackers, for garnish
• as needed Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
• as needed Red pepper flakes, for garnish

Equipment

• Large slow cooker (6-quart)

Method

 

Part 1: The Slow Cook

1. In a large slow cooker, combine chicken, onion, vegetable broth, heavy cream, garlic powder, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cover and cook on HIGH until chicken is cooked through, 3 to 3 ½ hours (or LOW for 6-7 hours).

Part 2: Finish the Casserole

1. Stir in the broccoli and uncooked egg noodles. Cover and cook on HIGH until the pasta is tender, 20 to 30 minutes more.
2. Stir in the butter until melted, then top the casserole with the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheeses.
3. Cover and cook until the cheeses are fully melted, about 2 more minutes.
4. Garnish with crushed Ritz crackers, fresh parsley, and red pepper flakes before serving.

Notes

Add Pasta and Broccoli Last: This is the most important step! Adding these ingredients at the end ensures they cook to a perfect al dente texture and do not become mushy.

Shred Your Own Cheese: For the creamiest, gooiest result, shred blocks of cheddar and Parmesan yourself.

The Ritz Topping: Add the crushed Ritz crackers just before serving to maintain their delicious crunch.

Nutritional Disclaimer: The calories shown are an estimate. We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for the Perfect Crock-Pot Casserole

These simple secrets will ensure your comfort food classic is flawless every single time.

1. Add the Pasta and Broccoli LAST. This is the most crucial step for the perfect texture! If you add the noodles and broccoli at the beginning, they will turn to complete mush during the long slow cook. Adding them at the end allows them to cook perfectly in the hot, flavorful sauce.
2. Shred Your Own Cheese. For the absolute creamiest, gooiest, and most flavorful cheese topping, buy blocks of cheddar and Parmesan and shred them yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in starches that prevent them from melting as seamlessly.
3. Don’t Skip the Ritz Cracker Topping! The buttery, salty, crunchy topping is the perfect textural contrast to the soft, creamy casserole underneath. It’s the crowning jewel of the dish! Add it just before serving to keep it nice and crisp.
4. Use a Liner for Ultimate Easy Cleanup. For the easiest weeknight meal imaginable, use a slow cooker liner. This makes cleanup an absolute breeze—you can just lift the bag out and throw it away, leaving your crock-pot perfectly clean.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of High Heat (for this recipe!). While many slow cooker recipes are best on low, this one works beautifully on the HIGH setting for a faster result, making it a perfect meal to start in the early afternoon for dinnertime.

Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Leftovers

This casserole makes for fantastic leftovers and is just as comforting the next day!

• Refrigerator: Once cooled, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Gently reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot and bubbly. The sauce may thicken in the fridge, but it will loosen up perfectly upon reheating. Add the crunchy cracker topping fresh after reheating for the best texture.

FAQs: Your Crock-Pot Casserole Questions, Answered!

Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Yes, absolutely! While egg noodles are classic, any short pasta shape like rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni would work well. Just be aware that different pasta shapes may have slightly different cooking times, so keep an eye on them.

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

You can, but it’s best to thaw them first for the most even cooking. If you must cook from frozen, you will need to add a significant amount of extra cooking time (at least an extra 1-2 hours on high).

Can I add other vegetables to this dish?

Of course! Sliced mushrooms would be a fantastic addition; you can add them at the beginning with the onion. You could also stir in some frozen corn along with the broccoli and noodles at the end.

Can I freeze this casserole?

It’s not highly recommended. Cooked noodles and cream-based sauces can sometimes separate or become mushy after being frozen and thawed, which can negatively affect the texture of the final dish.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate One-Pot Comfort Meal

There is nothing quite like a recipe that delivers a complete, hearty, and unbelievably delicious meal with such incredible ease. This Crock-Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole is a true weeknight hero, a simple and satisfying dish that the whole family will love. It’s a delicious, foolproof recipe that is guaranteed to earn a permanent spot in your easy dinner rotation. Happy cooking!