Homemade Cheesy Rice-A-Roni with Chicken & Broccoli (Possible Cooker Recipe)

If you loved Rice-A-Roni as a kid, get ready to fall in love all over again with this Homemade Cheesy Rice-A-Roni with Chicken and Broccoli. This new version takes that classic cheesy rice flavor and turns it into a complete one pot meal that's perfect for a busy weeknight. It's pure comfort food that practically makes itself in your Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro!

This easy dinner combines tender seared chicken breast, perfectly cooked white rice and vermicelli pasta, bright broccoli florets, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce that coats every single bite. The best things about this recipe? Simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store, minimal prep time, and everything cooks together in one pot. No cream of chicken soup needed here because we're making everything from scratch with real ingredients!

Whether you're cooking for picky eaters or just craving some cheesy chicken broccoli and rice, this homemade rice dish delivers great flavor without the mystery ingredients found in boxed mixes.

Suggested Kitchen Tools for Homemade Cheesy Rice-A-Roni

• Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro
• Tongs
• Wooden Spoon or Rubber Spatula
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Instant Read Thermometer (optional)
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients & Substitutions

This cheesy rice recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Let me walk you through each one and share some substitution options.

Chicken Breast

Used in Recipe: Skinless chicken breasts sliced into thin cutlets provide the protein for this dish. You'll need four cutlets that are each about 4 to 6 ounces and approximately ½ inch thick.

What it Does: The chicken gets seared first to develop that beautiful golden crust and create fond (those delicious browned bits) that adds great flavor to the entire dish. Then it steams on a rack above the rice, allowing the juices to drip down and flavor everything below.

Substitutions: You can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken if you're short on time. Simply shred or slice it and add it to the dish during the last 5 minutes of cooking time to warm through. While chicken thighs will work, I recommend sticking with chicken breast for this particular recipe since the cooking time is optimized for the leaner cut.

Parboiled Rice

Used in Recipe: Parboiled rice (also called converted rice) is the star of this homemade rice dish.

What it Does: Parboiled rice holds up beautifully during the steam cooking process without becoming mushy or breaking down. It absorbs the chicken broth and cream while maintaining distinct, fluffy grains. Another bonus is that you don't need to rinse it before cooking.

Substitutions: Basmati rice is another great option if you don't have parboiled rice on hand. If using basmati, don't rinse it for this recipe since we want the starch to help create that creamy texture. I don't recommend brown rice for this recipe because it requires a longer cooking time that may overcook the chicken and other ingredients.

Vermicelli Pasta

Used in Recipe: Thin vermicelli pasta broken into small pieces gives this dish that authentic Rice-A-Roni texture and appearance.

What it Does: The pasta gets toasted along with the rice, which brings a nutty, toasted flavor to the dish. It also adds texture variation that makes each bite interesting.

Substitutions: Angel hair pasta works perfectly since it's very similar in thickness. Spaghetti noodles will also work if that's what you have in your pantry. Just break them into small pieces.

Frozen Broccoli

Used in Recipe: Frozen broccoli florets add color, nutrition, and vegetable goodness to this one pot meal.

What it Does: The frozen broccoli serves double duty. First, it cools down the pot after toasting the rice and pasta, which prevents burning. Second, it steams perfectly during the cooking time, staying bright green and tender without turning to mush.

Substitutions: Fresh broccoli can be used but you'll want to cut it into uniform florets. Keep in mind that fresh broccoli may cook faster and could become softer than frozen. Cut them slightly bigger to maintain the correct texture. You can also omit the broccoli entirely if you prefer, but I love the color and nutrition it adds to this cheesy chicken broccoli dish.

Chicken Stock

Used in Recipe: Chicken broth or stock provides the cooking liquid for the rice and pasta.

What it Does: The chicken stock infuses the rice with savory flavor as it absorbs during cooking. It's a great addition that takes this dish from good to amazing.

Substitutions: Store bought chicken broth works great, or you can use homemade broth if you have it. Vegetable broth will work if you want a lighter flavor. In a pinch, you could use water with a couple of chicken bouillon cubes, but adjust your salt since bouillon tends to be saltier than store-bought broth or stock.

Heavy Cream

Used in Recipe: Heavy cream adds richness and helps create that creamy, cheesy sauce.

What it Does: The heavy cream creates a luscious, velvety coating on the rice that carries the cheese flavor beautifully.

Substitutions: Half and half can work but may not be quite as rich. I don't recommend using milk as it has a higher chance of curdling. For a lighter option, you could reduce or omit the dairy and add extra broth to replace the cream.

Cheddar Cheese

Used in Recipe: Sharp cheddar cheese is the star of this cheesy rice dish, providing that classic au gratin flavor.

What it Does: The cheddar cheese melts into the rice and creates that irresistible cheesy coating we all love. Sharp cheddar has more flavor, so you get maximum cheese taste in every bite.

Substitutions: Mild or medium cheddar will work if you prefer a less sharp flavor. You could also use a blend of cheeses like cheddar and Monterey Jack for a different taste profile. Pre-shredded cheese from the grocery store works fine, but freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly.

Parmesan Cheese

Used in Recipe: Finely grated Parmesan cheese gets stirred in at the end for a flavor boost.

What it Does: The Parmesan adds a salty, nutty, umami punch that elevates the overall cheese flavor. Adding it at the end preserves that distinct Parmesan taste rather than having it blend completely into the dish.

Substitutions: Pecorino Romano can be used for a sharper, saltier flavor. You could also omit the Parmesan if you don't have it, but it really does add that extra something special to this cheddar broccoli rice.

Butter

Used in Recipe: Salted butter adds richness and helps toast the rice and vermicelli.

What it Does: The butter coats the rice and pasta during toasting, helping them develop that nutty flavor. It also adds richness to the final dish.

Substitutions: Unsalted butter works fine if you adjust your salt accordingly. The butter is optional if you want to reduce the fat content, but it does contribute to the overall flavor and texture.

Avocado Oil

Used in Recipe: A neutral cooking oil is used for searing the chicken.

What it Does: The oil helps create a beautiful golden sear on the chicken and prevents sticking. Avocado oil has a high smoke point which makes it perfect for the high heat searing.

Substitutions: Olive oil, vegetable oil, or any neutral cooking oil will work. Just make sure it can handle medium heat to high heat without smoking.

Seasonings

Used in Recipe: Simple salt and pepper season both the chicken and the rice mixture.

What it Does: The seasonings enhance all the other flavors in the dish without overpowering them. Sometimes simple is best!

Substitutions: Feel free to add garlic powder, onion powder, or other seasonings you enjoy. You could also add fresh minced garlic or diced onions when toasting the rice for extra flavor. This recipe is very customizable to your taste preferences.

How to Make Homemade Cheesy Rice-A-Roni with Chicken and Broccoli

This easy dinner comes together quickly once you have everything prepped. The whole dish cooks in your Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker Pro using the sear/sauté and steam functions. Let me walk you through each step!

Mise En Place

Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients and do your prep work. Season your chicken cutlets on both sides with salt and pepper. Break the vermicelli into small pieces. Shred your cheese if using block cheese. Measure out your chicken stock and cream. Having everything ready to go makes the cooking process smooth and stress free.

Prepare the Chicken

You have two options for getting the right size chicken cutlets for this recipe. You can purchase two larger skinless chicken breasts (8 to 10 ounces each) and slice them yourself, or you can buy thinly sliced chicken breasts that are already cut at the grocery store. These are often labeled as "thin sliced chicken breast" or "chicken cutlets."

If slicing your own, place the chicken breast flat on your cutting board with one hand on top to steady it. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally through the middle of the breast to create two thinner pieces. You want each cutlet to be approximately ½ inch thick and weigh between 4 and 6 ounces.

The most important thing is that all four cutlets are the same thickness so they cook evenly in the same amount of time. Thick chicken breasts will not cook through properly during the 14 minute steam time, and if you increase the cooking time to compensate, you'll overcook the rice and potentially curdle the cream.

Preheat and Sear the Chicken

Set your Possible Cooker Pro to High Sear/Sauté and press Start. Let it preheat while you finish any last prep. Once it's half way through the preheat, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of avocado oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pot. Continue preheating until the display says "Add Food."

Place your seasoned chicken cutlets in the pot, spacing them out so they're not overlapping. You should hear a nice sizzle when they hit the oil. Now here's the important part: leave them alone! Let them sear undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes to develop that beautiful golden brown crust. then flip and sear the other side for about 2 minutes.

Remove Chicken and Toast the Rice

Once both sides of the chicken are nicely browned, transfer the cutlets to the steam rack that came with your Possible Cooker Pro. Any rack that fits will work fine. Set it aside for now.

Toasting the Rice

Add the vermicelli pieces and parboiled rice to the pot. Give it a stir to coat everything with the oil and chicken drippings left in the pot. Add the butter and continue stirring occasionally. The goal is to lightly toast the rice and pasta, which adds a wonderful nutty flavor to the finished dish.

Add the salt and pepper to the rice mixture and stir to combine.

Add Broccoli Liquids and Cheese

Then add the frozen broccoli florets. The frozen broccoli will cool down the pot quickly, which helps prevent the vermicelli and rice from burning while you add the remaining ingredients. Pour in the chicken stock and heavy cream. Now, you might be wondering why I'm not using a 2:1 liquid to rice ratio like most rice recipes call for. Here's the thing: we're going to have juices dripping down from the chicken, plus the broccoli will release some liquid during cooking. Using less liquid upfront prevents the rice from becoming watery or mushy.

Don't worry if the broccoli florets seem large. I thought the same thing when I first tested this recipe, but they break down perfectly during cooking and end up being the ideal size and texture. They also stay that beautiful bright green color!

Add the shredded cheddar cheese and give everything a good stir to distribute the ingredients evenly.

Add Chicken and Steam

Place the rack with the seared chicken cutlets on top of the rice mixture. Put the lid on the Possible Cooker Pro with the steam vent hole facing away from you. This way, when you peek at the food (and you will peek!), you won't get blasted with hot steam.

Turn off the Sear/Sauté function and switch to Steam mode. Set the time for 14 minutes and press Start. Don't be surprised if the preheat is very short or skips entirely since the pot is already hot from searing.

Rest and Finish

When the steam cycle completes, the pot will turn off (it doesn't automatically switch to Keep Warm in steam mode). Leave the lid on and let everything rest for 5 minutes. This rest period allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and finish cooking perfectly. * My chicken breasts were thinner than half-inch so I removed them during the rest period. If your chicken breasts are the recommended half-inch thick, you don't have to remove them during the rest time.

After the rest, remove the lid and remove the rack of chicken. Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the rice mixture until well combined. The rice should be creamy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious!

Slice the chicken if desired and serve it over or alongside the cheesy rice. This is one of those great meals that the whole family will love!

Serve & Enjoy!

Other Variations

One of the best things about this homemade rice recipe is how customizable it is. Here are some ideas to make it your own:

Add More Vegetables: Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or peas would all be great additions to this dish.

Adjust the Flavor: Add garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh minced garlic when toasting the rice. A pinch of paprika or Italian seasoning would also be delicious.

Change the Cheese: Try a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor profile, or use Gruyère for a more sophisticated take on this cheesy rice dish.

Make it Without Cheese: If you need to skip the cheese, the dish will still be tasty with just the butter, cream, and seasonings. You could add a bit more butter to compensate for the richness.

Use a Different Protein: While this recipe is optimized for chicken breast, you could use shrimp (add during the last 5 minutes) or serve it as a side dish without any protein at all.

Slow Cooker or Crock Pot: This recipe is specifically designed for the Possible Cooker Pro's steam function. If you want to adapt it for a traditional crock pot, you'll need to adjust the liquid amounts and cooking time significantly. I recommend searing the chicken separately in a large skillet and then combining everything in the slow cooker on low for 2 to 3 hours.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

How to Store Leftover Cheesy Rice-A-Roni

This recipe makes great meal prep since it stores and reheats beautifully. Here's how to keep your leftovers fresh:

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I recommend storing the chicken sliced on top of or mixed into the rice so it stays moist from the creamy sauce.

Freezer

This cheesy chicken broccoli rice freezes well for 2-3 months. Before freezing, make sure the food is completely cold. I recommend refrigerating overnight before transferring to the freezer.

If the food is warm when packaged for freezing, steam can be produced inside the container or freezer bag, resulting in ice crystals forming.

Air is another issue when freezing food, so make sure you choose a container that is the proper size for the amount of leftovers. You don't want a large container for a small portion or there will be too much air trapped inside which can lead to decreased quality.

My preferred method for freezing is using a vacuum sealer which eliminates this issue.

How to Reheat Cheesy Rice-A-Roni

Microwave

Place a portion in a microwave safe dish and add a splash of chicken broth or water to help restore moisture. Cover loosely and microwave in 1-2 minutes intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. The internal temperature should reach 165℉/74℃.

Stovetop

Add leftovers to a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently until heated through, about 5 to 7 minutes.

From Frozen

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using one of the methods above. You can also microwave from frozen, but it will take longer and you may need to add extra liquid.

More One-Pot Meals

This cheesy chicken broccoli rice is an easy One-Pot meal and if you love them as much as I do, here are other recipes to choose from.