With Christmas coming up and ham – GLORIOUS HAM! – being served at the holiday dinner table, I thought this was the perfect time to create a ham and broccoli-cheddar version of my super popular Cheesy Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice recipe!
This is a dish you can make with holiday leftovers but will continue to add to your weekly menu all year round because it’s so simple and delicious. Plus, if the Cheesy Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice was a little spicy for your tastebuds, the mild broccoli-cheddar version will leave you licking your plate clean. Heck, you can even leave the ham out if you like – the cheesy broccoli rice makes an awesome side dish too.
Now, this recipe tastes like one of those horribly delicious yet salt and preservative-packed rice side packets that everyone secretly loves, except it’s made with 5 simple ingredients: chicken broth, rice, broccoli, ham, and cheddar cheese. Creamy, perfectly cheesy, and reheats like a dream.
Who’s ready to get after it?!
Start by combining 1 cup long grain white rice in a saucepan with 2-1/2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a simmer then place a lid on top, turn the heat down to low, and cook for 6 minutes. Add 6oz broccoli that’s been chopped into small florets then replace the lid and cook for another 9-10 minutes, or until the rice and broccoli are both cooked through.
Next sprinkle in 6oz freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (skip pre-grated cheese – freshly grated melts so much better!) then stir until smooth. Finally add 8oz ham steak that’s been chopped into bite-sized pieces then stir until warmed through.
That’s all she wrote my friend! Let the rice sit and thicken for a few minutes before scooping onto plates and devouring. I hope you love this easy, cheesy, 1 pot meal – enjoy!
More Easy Cheesy Recipes:
- Healthy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli-Rice Casserole
- Cheesy Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice
- Cheesy Vegetable, Turkey Sausage and Rice Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken Burrito Skillet
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Green Bean Casserole
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
5-Ingredient Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Skillet
Description
5-Ingredient Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Skillet is a 1 pan, 20 minute, gluten-free dinner recipe that will leave you licking your plate clean!
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 6oz broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 8oz ham steak, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 6oz freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
- Add chicken broth and rice to a 2-1/2 - 3 quart saucepan then turn heat to high and bring to a simmer. Turn heat down to low then place a lid on top and simmer for 6 minutes (rice should barely be simmering so make sure heat is not too high.)
- Add broccoli (no need to stir) then place the lid back on top, turn heat up to keep broth at a gentle simmer, and then cook for an additional 9-10 more minutes or until the rice and broccoli are cooked through. Turn off heat then sprinkle in cheese and stir until completely melted. Stir in ham until warmed through, then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Elaine B 01.01.2018
I wonder if you could substitute cauliflower rice to make it low carb? Sounds delicious!
jheri 12.29.2017
Hi! Wondering if frozen broccoli would work with this recipe? Love these simple recipes (Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice is made almost once a week in this house–we love it so!)!
Bridget Harrison 01.04.2018
I used frozen broccoli with no issues just make sure to cook it till broccoli is soft. Mine took 9 minutes
Jheri 01.04.2018
Thanks, Bridget!
Kami 12.27.2017
I have organic long grain brown rice, can that be used? Why is rice so confusing ??♀️
Dennice Goudie 10.07.2019
There would be a requirement for more broth to get the rice to be partially cooked BEFORE adding the other ingredients. I also enjoy brown rice.
Amy T 12.21.2017
Made this today and the whole family loved it! My all-of-a-sudden picky 18 month old couldn’t stop eating. Thank you for a great recipe!
Alanna Kellogg 12.14.2017
This was great! I used a smoked turkey leg (which tastes remarkably like ham), a full pound of meat, can’t imagine less, honestly and cubes of farmer cheese. My elderly father especially loved this … maybe cuz he was born in Iowa?! :-)
Diana Lopes 12.14.2017
What a delicious recipe! You’re mixing there all my favorite ingredients, cheese, ham and broccoli, so I already know I’m going to love this =)
Andrea 12.14.2017
I made this last night with leftover ham. I doubled the recipe due to a very hungry husband and we only had enough leftovers for one lunch each! The kids don’t like “mixed food” (ugh) but my husband said “I would eat this 7 days a week”. This is a winner! Thank you!
Christy von Kaenel 12.14.2017
I couldn’t find ham steak so I made it with cubed pancetta and added extra broccoli and it was delicious.
Tracy 12.13.2017
Looks delicious!! Do you ever use shredded Daiya cheese for anything? Just wondering how well it it melts and how good it tastes
Cinnamon Rost 12.13.2017
1st time commentor, many times maker of your recipes! (Thank you for all you do!) Had to comment on this particular recipe. My mother made a very similar dish when we were growing up. It was called “Gross!” Why Gross? My mom was tired of us ornery kids calling everything she made gross. On this particular evening she had, had enough. So when we asked what was for supper, she told us Gross! To this day, we still call this recipe Gross (even though it is delicious).
Lisa Huff 12.13.2017
Looks perfect! Yum!
emily 12.13.2017
Just made this for dinner. So good, comforting, and cozy. My family gobbled it up. Best part- start to finish less than 30 mins (including children interruptions, neighbor chats and feeding the animals!) Thank you. Definitely a keeper and easy to throw in any veggies!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby 12.13.2017
I’m all for the minimal ingredient recipes all the time, but one pan recipe is my real thing. Fewer dishes make me very happy!
Rachel in Iowa 12.12.2017
I can’t wait to try this!!! Thanks for all of your family friendly recipes!
Kristin 12.12.2017
I hope you love it, Rachel!
Manda 12.12.2017
I made this for supper tonight but used chicken instead of ham because that’s what I had. And, I used nut cheese instead of regular cheese because I’m lactose-intolerant. I sprinkled a little real cheese on my kids’ bowls just to make them think it was “normal.” They loved it! I loved it! And it was so easy!!! Thanks for a great, versatile recipe!!!
Kristin 12.12.2017
Yeah!!! So glad you tried it, Manda!! I really appreciate you leaving a star rating, too!
Kristen 12.12.2017
This looks delicious! Just wondering if you ever plan on doing a cookbook. :)
Kristin 12.12.2017
Oh gosh…as of now no since I struggle just to get two posts/week up on IGE. Never say never though – maybe when the boys are both in school!! :)
Donna 04.02.2018
Thought you have a cookbook
Jan 12.12.2017
Awesome! Totally, totally awesome!…and so easy for a “clean” diet/lifestyle. I’ll share this one with my family and friends who love broccoli and want their kids to…too. Love your blog. Love your family. Love your food! Love YOU! ❤️. Keep doing what you do!
Kristin 12.12.2017
Thank you, Jan! I appreciate it!! :)
Shirley 12.12.2017
This is perfect for tonight as I have leftover ham from last night’s meal! Can’t wait to see the videos as seeing you make something encourages me to try new things. You always make recipes that are not complicated and easy to make-even as a last minute idea!
Kristin 12.12.2017
Thanks Shirley – appreciate your support!
Nicole @ Bento Momentos 12.12.2017
Yum! This looks like the ultimate comfort food. Cheesy anything is delicious!
Kristin 12.12.2017
I agree – give me all da cheeeese! ?
EM 12.12.2017
Videos– NOOOO! Truth be told, I cooked more of the recipes back in the days when the site was lower tech (fewer ads, etc.)
Kristin 12.12.2017
Thanks for your feedback, Em!