A trip to Cracker Barrel for lunch or dinner is sure to please. With countless homestyle dishes on the menu (like this famous Hash Brown Casserole), everyone at the table will find something they love.
The broccoli cheddar chicken is one of the most popular items on the menu, and for good reason. But it’s also one of the weekly specials, meaning you can’t order it any day you please.
That’s why we created a copycat Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken recipe, so we can all indulge in this cheesy broccoli chicken delight any time the craving strikes!
Psst: For more broccoli-cheese goodness, try this Cheesy Broccoli Soup in a Bread Bowl.
How to Make Copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Ingredients
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup white onion, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk (we used whole milk for extra creaminess)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 8 ounces broccoli florets, roughly chopped (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 2 cups Ritz crackers, coarsely crushed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish (it’s not the same thing as a baking pan) with butter or olive oil. Set aside.
Step 2: Saute
In a saucepan over medium heat, saute the onions and minced garlic in 2 tablespoons of the butter until softened; about 4-6 minutes.
Step 3: Make the sauce
Reduce the heat to low, then add the cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, milk and Parmesan cheese to the sauteed onions and garlic. Stir to combine, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Remove from the heat.
Step 4: Layer
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then, add the chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Mound the chopped broccoli florets on top of the chicken breasts and then top with the cheddar cheese sauce. Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers over the top of the cheese sauce, followed by 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 35-45 minutes until the chicken breasts are cooked through. The chicken is ready to remove from the oven when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 160°.
Step 6: Rest
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, and the chicken will finish cooking (and reach an internal temp of 165°). Serve warm.
Tips for Making Copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
Here are our top tips and tricks for making a broccoli cheddar chicken exactly like Cracker Barrel.
Can you use other cuts of chicken to make copycat Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken?
Sure! If you prefer dark meat, you can make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Prepare the recipe as directed, removing the baking dish from the oven when the chicken thighs reach 165°.
Editor’s Tip: Keep in mind that, generally, chicken thighs take a little longer to bake in the oven than chicken breasts. Keep a close eye on the chicken as it cooks and test it for doneness using an instant-read thermometer for best results.
How can you make the topping crunchier?
If you would like your Ritz cracker topping to be a little crispier (like on this best-ever mac and cheese recipe), toss the crushed crackers in 2 tablespoons of melted butter prior to topping the casserole. Then bake as directed.
How should you store broccoli cheddar chicken?
Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. You may also store leftovers of this broccoli cheddar chicken casserole for up to 3 months in the freezer. Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
How should you reheat broccoli cheddar chicken?
Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken can be reheated in the microwave, covered, until steaming. If you would like your leftovers to have a crispy topping, reheat in a 350° oven for 12-15 minutes until heated through.
What can you serve with copycat Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken?
Serve the chicken with old-fashioned side dishes from our collection of Cracker Barrel copycat recipes!
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Country Fried Steak
As a child, I learned from my grandmother how to make these chicken-fried steaks. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are older, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Country Ham
Browned potatoes give simple ham a tasty touch. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner is done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Hash Brown Casserole
You can enjoy this beloved side dish all day long. Serve it alongside steak and eggs for breakfast, with a slice of quiche for brunch or in the evening with fried chicken and green beans.
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Chicken n' Dumplins
Using precooked chicken and ready-made biscuits, this hearty dish is comfort food made simple. It's the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights. —Lakeya Astwood, Schenectady, New York
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Fried Apples
If you’re feeling festive, scoop some vanilla ice cream over a bowl of these cinnamon spiced apples. They’re homey, aromatic and just plain heavenly. —Amie Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Turkey n' Dressing
I learned to bake turkey in a brown paper bag, but now I use an oven roasting bag for perfect results that keep white meat moist. —Marla Hyatt, St. Paul, Minnesota
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Biscuits n' Gravy
This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Cole Slaw
For Friday dinners, my mother made coleslaw to go with our fish. It’s still a family tradition, and the tangy dressing even works on a tossed salad. —Cynthia McDowell, Banning, California
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Meat Loaf
Grated carrots and cheese add a hint of color to this down-home classic. If there are leftovers, we use them in meat loaf sandwiches the next day! —Sandy Etelamaki, Ishpeming, Michigan
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Biscuit Beignets
Enjoy breakfast the New Orleans way with these warm, crispy bites. Topped with powdered sugar, they are a delight! —Lois Rutherford, Elkton, Florida
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Roast Beef
Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Fruit Cobbler
I received this recipe years ago. It's a family favorite, especially when Maine blueberries are in season. What a treat to eat on a hot summer day! —Paula Chick, Lewiston, Maine
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
I was born in 1936 to a family of eight. Much of our food came from our garden and the henhouse. Mother served fried chicken every Sunday, but sometimes she surprised us with this broccoli-stuffed chicken. No arguments then as to who got what piece of chicken! —Donald Laugherty, Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Mashed Potatoes
My sister-in-law, who is a dietitian, shared these buttermilk mashed potatoes with me. The garlic and buttermilk add a tasty, tangy flavor. —Stephanie Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Buttermilk Pancakes
You just can't beat the best buttermilk pancakes for a down-home hearty breakfast. Pair it with sausage and fresh fruit for a mouthwatering morning meal. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's The Barrel Cheeseburger
A friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers. —Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Macaroni n' Cheese
Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson of Dover, Delaware
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Corn Muffins
I turn classic corn bread muffins into something special by serving them with a honey butter. They're gone in a flash! —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Chicken Pot Pie
Although this uses leftover chicken, I serve this old-fashioned chicken pot pie as a special company dinner. Actually, my husband may enjoy it more than the original roasted bird with all the fixings! —Marilyn Hockey, Lisle, Ontario
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish
The Cajun flavor is great in this skillet-grilled catfish recipe. You can use this recipe with any thick fish fillet, but I suggest catfish or haddock. —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Steak Fries
Seasoned to perfection, these herbed steak fries from our Test Kitchen make a quick and tasty side dish for casual suppers. A great way to dress up frozen fries in a hurry!
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Baked Apple Dumplin'
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Pinto Beans
Any time Mom had the gang over for dinner, she made these pinto beans. Once she made a batch for my cousin’s birthday and he ate the entire thing. —Joan Hallford, Fort Worth, Texas
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Chicken Fried Chicken
Here's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Breaded Fried Okra
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, this fried okra recipe is crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Southern Fried Chicken
This Sunday dinner staple is first fried and then baked to a crispy golden brown. Well seasoned with oregano and sage, this classic is sure to satisfy diners at church potlucks or late-summer picnics. I love fixing it for family and friends. —Donna Kuhaupt, Slinger, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Cracker Barrel's Buttermilk Biscuits
These fluffy biscuits are so tasty slathered with butter or used to mop up every last drop of gravy off your plate. I can still see Mom pulling these tender gems out of the oven. —Vera Reid, Laramie, WyomingThe post The Best Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Copycat Recipe appeared first on Taste of Home.
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