Golden Mozzarella Broccoli Chicken Tenders

This slow cooker chicken dinner is the definition of set-it-and-forget-it. Tender chicken breast tenderloins, vibrant broccoli, and a rich, creamy mozzarella garlic sauce come together with just a few minutes of prep.

Simply layer the ingredients in the Crockpot, walk away, and come back to a bubbling, comforting meal that tastes like it took hours of hands-on effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is a family favorite that delivers on flavor and ease.

There are some dinners that just make life easier, and this slow cooker chicken with broccoli and mozzarella is one of them. It's a complete one-pot meal that requires minimal effort and zero fuss.

The chicken stays juicy and fork-tender, the broccoli turns perfectly tender, and the sauce—made from cream of chicken soup, melty mozzarella, and garlic herb butter—is pure comfort. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up every last drop. This is the kind of recipe you'll turn to again and again.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting here. Cooking the chicken low and slow keeps it incredibly moist and tender, while the broccoli steams gently in the accumulated juices, becoming tender without turning mushy. The cream of chicken soup acts as a built-in sauce base, thickening as it cooks and clinging to every piece of chicken and broccoli.

Mozzarella melts into a stretchy, gooey layer that blankets the dish, while the garlic herb butter infuses everything with savory, aromatic flavor.

Because there's no browning or sautéing required, the prep is nearly effortless—just layer the ingredients and let time work its magic. The result is a creamy, cheesy, satisfying dinner that feels indulgent but comes together with almost no hands-on time.

Notes and substitutions

Chicken breast tenderloins are ideal here because they cook quickly and stay juicy. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips, or chicken thighs for even more moisture. Broccoli florets should be cut into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water at the end.

This recipe uses condensed cream of chicken soup as the base—it's convenient and adds a savory, creamy texture. For a lighter option, you could use reduced-fat soup, but the sauce will be slightly less rich.

The garlic herb butter adds a punch of flavor; if you don't have it, mix softened butter with garlic powder and dried herbs. A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal, but any size that fits the ingredients will work.

• chicken breast tenderloins: boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into strips)
• broccoli florets: frozen broccoli florets (thawed and drained)
• condensed cream of chicken soup: condensed cream of mushroom soup or a homemade white sauce
• garlic herb butter: 2 tablespoons butter mixed with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs

Equipment

• 6-quart slow cooker
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• Cutting board and knife
• Serving spoon