Apple Juice & Dijon Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Skillet

This is Apple Juice & Dijon Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Skillet is crazy craving good!

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Skillet image with a bite full on a fork.


 

In the past I have usually been pretty good at keeping quick releasing sugar tabs on me at all times in case I get low blood sugar (due to diabetes), but after the Pass Out Park“scare, I stocked up on more sugar tabs, squeezable sugar pops (Patrick was so sweet, he ordered a bizzillion of these online without me knowing it), and apple juice, lots and lots of Costco size apple juice.

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Skillet with a black skillet.

I’ve simmered rice and chicken in salsa, enchilada sauce, lemon juice, etc., and I’ve seen chicken (never rice) braised in apple cider – so as I was looking at my all my apple juice, I thought, why not chicken and rice in apple juice?

I am so excited to share that braising chicken and then simmering with rice in apple juice, chicken broth, Dijon, garlic, oregano, and thyme is SO RIGHT!  It turned out to be one of my favorite flavor combinations ever!

Close up photo of Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Skillet.

It is simply delicious!  And what’s even better its both simple and delicious!

The chicken is rubbed with Dijon, salt and pepper and then seared until golden.  The rice simmers with onions and garlic in apple juice, chicken broth and Dijon mustard, so it soaks up every last sweet and tangy tantalizing taste.  The rice simmers in a little more liquid than usual, so it becomes a little creamy, almost risotto style (my fav!).  The chicken and broccoli are added to the simmering rice half way through, so they also soak up the Dijon, apple flavors and you don’t need to dirty an other pan!

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Skillet image side view in the pan.

Finally, cheddar cheese is melted atop the skillet so each and every bite is tangy, slightly sweet, creamy, and cheesy.

If you want to make this an oober healthy meal, you can even leave off the cheese – it is that good.  But let’s be honest, cheese makes everything better!

Oh yes, that bite is for you because chances are you might have everything to make this in you house right now! – or at worst, need to buy 1 or two ingredients for this simply delicious, 30 minute, 1 pot skillet meal.

I can pretty much guarantee this is going to be a family favorite and one of your favorites meals to make, and that you are going to be stocking up on Costco size apple juice so you can make this at any time because this simply delicious Apple Juice and Dijon Braised Cheddar Chicken Broccoli and Rice Skillet is crazy craving good!

Apple Juice & Dijon Braised Cheddar Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Skillet

Servings: 4 -6

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Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 ½ lbs.)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper pepper

Skillet

  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry thyme
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Coat chicken with Dijon/salt/pepper mixture and add to sizzling skillet. Sear chicken until golden, approximately 3-5 minutes per side (its okay if some of the Dijon comes off), remove to a plate. (Chicken will finish cooking with rice)
  • Heat an additional 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet. Add onion and saute for 3 minutes, scraping up any seasonings that may have come off the chicken. Add garlic and rice and saute for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Stir in chicken both, apple juice, 2 tablespoon Dijon, apple cider vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 12 minutes.
  • After 12 minutes, stir the rice then add the chicken, nestling it into the rice. Add the broccoli on top. Recover the pot and cook on low for 10-15 minutes longer, or until rice and chicken are done and broccoli is crisp-tender, taking care skillet isnโ€™t cooking too hot or else it will burn on the bottom. Once rice and chicken are done, sprinkle with cheese. Recover until cheese melts. Serve!

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52 Comments

  1. Risa says

    I don’t have all the ingredients needed but I think you just inspired me to make chicken and rice for dinner tonight!

    • Jen says

      Oh yes, chicken and rice for dinner is always delicious in any form!

  2. Ashley says

    Interesting. Sounds like it would taste pretty good though. We’ll have to try it in a few weeks after our next grocery shopping trip. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jen says

      Definitely give it a try and see what you think – especially because its so easy!

  3. Kungphoo says

    30 minutes is quick and it looks really good.. thanks for the share!

    • Jen says

      You are most welcome! Amazing what deliciousness can happen in 30 minutes!

    • Jen says

      Thanks Jodie! Loved the words you used to describe this – you are right on! I might have to add yummy, warm and comforting to my description!

  4. Barbara says

    I love that you can use only one pot. Thanks for the recipe ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jen says

      Thanks Barbara! One pot meals are the best especially if you are anything like me and look like a tornado went through your kitchen after you’ve cooked something – that isn’t a one pot meal!

  5. michele d says

    That looks absolutely delish! I will have to try it out one day. Bookmarked your page so I can come back for the recipe.

    • Jen says

      Thanks Michele! I am excited for you to try it!

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much Shelby! I hope it becomes a keeper in your family!

    • Jen says

      Happy it does Matthew! Can’t go wrong with chicken, cheese and rice!

  6. Lisa says

    I don’t usually buy juice. But for some reason, I bought apple juice today. ๐Ÿ™‚
    When I saw your recipe I knew this is what I would be making for dinner tonight.
    It’s still cooking- and it sure smells good. My kids are already asking about it.
    Thanks for sharing your talents with food and delicious recipes. I always have a difficult time deciding what to make for dinner. I’m loving this website and all the yummy food you are sharing.
    By the way, I loved reading your Easter talk. Thanks for posting it.
    Love,
    Lisa

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much for letting me know you are trying this tonight Lisa. Its always fun to hear about when people actually make the food :)! I hope your family likes it! Thank you also for letting me know you enjoyed my Easter talk. Being so dear to my heart, it means even more to me that you read it. Thanks for following my cooking adventures! I hope your family is doing well! xoxox Jen

  7. Mary Ellen says

    I love the one pot! The photos are beautiful. The combination is fantastic…

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Mary Ellen!

    • Jen says

      Thanks Becca! One pot meals are the best!

  8. Amber Nelson says

    That looks really good. I never would have paired these ingredients together.

    • Jen says

      Thanks Amber! It is a great pairing – excited for you to try it out!

    • Jen says

      You are most welcome Richard!

  9. Danielle says

    Wow this looks great… Can’t believe the only ingredient I don’t have is apple juice, despite having a 2 yr old. Lol.

    • Jen says

      LOL! Hopefully you will have some apple juice soon so you can make it! Thanks Danielle!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Sophia! Can’t beat delicious AND easy!

  10. Rebecca Lambert says

    LOOKS SO DELICIOUS! Marvelous recipe!! Shared it everywhere lol ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Rebecca! You made my day!

    • Jen says

      LOL! Hopefully you can make it soon and satisfy your hunger :)!

  11. Mike says

    I am not much of a cook but decided I should give this a try. It was awesome! Glad to have a go-to recipe that’s not mac and cheese.

    • Jen says

      LOL! Thanks Mike! I am happy FOR YOU to have another recipe thats not mac and cheese ๐Ÿ™‚ You should check out my Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta – it might help you step up your pasta game ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Jenny Smith says

    Made this for dinner…it was awesome!

    • Jen says

      I am so happy you made it and liked it! Thank you so much for taking the time for letting me know – you are the first one on this recipe so I am especially happy to hear it!!!

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much Julie! So happy you enjoyed it!

  13. kazy says

    I made this. It came out soooo gooood. I’ll tell you, Jen, you have a gift for seasoning the ordinary and making it come alive. So comforting, so tasty. So special. Just like your Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken, this recipe woke up my taste buds. I did change it up a bit but nothing that interfered or altered the ingredients in any way. Instead of breasts, I used thighs and instead of frying, I baked them and then cut them into big chunks, nestling them into the rice made it easier and it stretched it out over more nights for leftovers. But other than that, I changed nothing. Thanks so much for all your amazing delightful and appetizing flavors. And to know that there is so much more on your arsenal left to try, is so exciting.

    • Jen says

      What an awesome comment Kazy, thank you so much! I am thrilled you loved this dish so much -its an oldie but goodie so its fun to see it get some love ๐Ÿ™‚ I love hearing you are enjoying my recipes and the seasonings I use – all you need is the right seasoning to make food taste amazing! I hope you enjoy trying many more of my recipes! A few of my favs include my Thai Red Chicken Curry, Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake, Asian Burgers, General Tso’s Chicken, Philly Cheesesteaks….:)

      • kazy says

        Gonna try every single one of ’em. Going right now to bookmark them Thanks so much for all you do.

        • Jen says

          You are so welcome! Have a great weekend!

  14. Bee says

    Do you think you could do this one in the InstantPot? It sounds delicious! Thanks for the great recipes!

    • Jen says

      Hi Bee, unfortunately I am not experienced with the InstaPot, sorry! Good luck!