Craving the comforting flavors of Cracker Barrel’s famous Broccoli Cheddar Chicken but don’t want to leave the house? You’re in luck! This easy copycat recipe allows you to recreate that beloved dish right in your own kitchen. This isn’t just another chicken dinner; it’s a flavorful casserole packed with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich, creamy cheddar sauce, all crowned with a buttery, crispy cracker topping. It’s an amazing meal that promises to become a family favorite, delivering restaurant-quality taste with the convenience and comfort of homemade cooking.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken: A Homemade Comfort Classic
There’s something uniquely satisfying about recreating restaurant favorites at home, and for me, Cracker Barrel’s Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole holds a special place. Our closest Cracker Barrel is quite a drive, over an hour away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, making spontaneous visits a rare luxury. Instead of planning a long trip just for a meal, we’ve embraced the joy of crafting these comforting dishes at home. This not only saves on travel time and gas money but also allows us to savor these nostalgic flavors in the relaxed atmosphere of our own dining room.
The journey of mastering copycat recipes has been incredibly rewarding and fun. We’ve successfully replicated many of Cracker Barrel’s signature offerings, much to the delight of our family. Perhaps you’ve already explored some of our other cherished Cracker Barrel copycat recipes? We absolutely adore our homemade versions of their Chicken & Dumplings, the perfectly seasoned Carrots, tender Green Beans, the iconic Hashbrown Casserole, and the incredibly delicious Pecan Pancakes. Each recipe brings a piece of that charming restaurant experience to our table.
This particular Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole was an instant hit, especially when I started preparing meals for my husband’s mom and grandmother each week. I strive to bring them a variety of fun and new dishes to enjoy, and this casserole proved to be the perfect choice. My husband’s grandmother, at 93, has a great appreciation for hearty casseroles and wholesome vegetables, making this recipe an absolute win-win. Who can resist the appeal of juicy chicken and vibrant broccoli enveloped in a rich, velvety cheese sauce? It’s a combination that truly defines comfort food, and frankly, if this is wrong, I don’t want to know what’s right!
Essential Ingredients for Your Copycat Casserole
Creating this delicious Cracker Barrel copycat dish requires a handful of simple, readily available ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward components, which combine to create a surprisingly complex and satisfying flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breast: We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for ease and a leaner profile. About 2 pounds, or four medium-sized breasts, work perfectly.
- Cheddar Cheese Soup: A creamy canned cheddar cheese soup forms the rich base of our sauce, providing an instant burst of cheesy goodness.
- Milk: Used to thin out the cheddar cheese soup, creating that perfect smooth and pourable consistency for the casserole.
- Ritz Crackers: These buttery crackers provide the signature crispy topping that adds a delightful textural contrast to the creamy casserole.
- Butter: Melted butter is combined with the crushed Ritz crackers to create an irresistible golden-brown crust.
- Broccoli, Frozen: Frozen broccoli florets are a convenient choice, offering vibrant color and essential nutrients without extra prep.
- Cheddar Cheese, Shredded: A final layer of shredded cheddar cheese melted over the top adds an extra dimension of cheesiness and a beautiful golden finish.
- Seasoned Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken, enhancing its flavor before it’s bathed in the cheesy sauce.
Ingredient Notes & Tips for Best Results:
Chicken Breast: The recipe is designed for medium-sized chicken breasts. If you opt for larger chicken breasts, be aware that you may need to increase the baking time to ensure they are cooked through. You can also butterfly thicker breasts or cut them into smaller pieces for more even cooking.
Cheddar Cheese: While pre-shredded cheddar cheese is convenient, freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts significantly better and offers a creamier texture. If time allows, taking a few extra minutes to shred your own block of cheddar will elevate the overall quality of your casserole. It avoids the anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded varieties that can affect melt and texture.
Ritz Crackers: The iconic buttery flavor of Ritz crackers is key to this recipe’s authentic taste. However, if you have another brand of butter crackers on hand, they can be used as a suitable substitute. Ensure they are crushed into a coarse crumble for the best topping.
Essential Equipment for a Seamless Cooking Experience
Having the right tools makes all the difference in the kitchen, ensuring your cooking process is smooth and enjoyable. For this casserole, you’ll need a few basic pieces of equipment:
- Casserole Dish: A standard 9×13 casserole baking dish is ideal for this recipe, providing ample space for all the ingredients to cook evenly. Its size is perfect for feeding a family or preparing a meal for guests.
- Mixing Bowl: A large mixing bowl is essential for combining the creamy cheddar soup mixture and for coating the Ritz crackers with melted butter. Choose one that gives you enough room to stir without spillage.
- Meat Thermometer: Food safety is paramount. A reliable meat thermometer is crucial for ensuring your chicken is perfectly cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Always check the thickest part of the chicken before serving to guarantee doneness.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Cracker Barrel Copycat
Follow these simple steps to bring this comforting casserole to life in your kitchen. Precision and attention to detail at each stage will ensure a perfect dish every time.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This allows the oven to reach the correct temperature before the casserole goes in, ensuring even cooking.
- In your mixing bowl, combine the canned cheddar cheese soup with the milk. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. You want a creamy, pourable consistency. If the soup is very thick, you might need to gently warm it on the stovetop to aid in combining, but typically, room temperature ingredients mix easily.
- Arrange the chicken breasts evenly in your 9×13 casserole dish. Ensure there’s a little space between each piece to allow for even cooking and optimal sauce distribution. Season the chicken generously with seasoned salt on both sides.
- Pour about three-quarters of the prepared cheddar soup mixture over the chicken breasts. This foundational layer will keep the chicken moist and infuse it with cheesy flavor. Next, scatter the frozen broccoli florets around and on top of the chicken, ensuring they are distributed evenly throughout the dish.
- In a separate small bowl, melt the butter. Crush the Ritz crackers and combine them with the melted butter, stirring until the cracker crumbs are evenly coated. This buttery cracker mixture forms our signature crispy topping.
- Evenly spoon the buttered Ritz cracker mixture over the entire surface of the chicken and broccoli. This layer will become golden and crispy during baking. After the crackers, pour the remaining cheddar cheese soup mixture over the cracker topping. This ensures the crackers become tender on the bottom while crisping beautifully on top.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes. The exact baking time will vary depending on the thickness and size of your chicken breasts. The casserole is done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Carefully remove the casserole from the oven.
- Immediately sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the hot casserole. The residual heat from the dish will quickly melt the cheese into a gooey, irresistible layer. Allow the casserole to rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the sauce to set and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Recipe Tips for Success & Serving Suggestions
To ensure your Copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken casserole turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Preheat is Key: Don’t forget to adequately preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before placing the casserole inside. This helps in even cooking and achieves that desired golden crust.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Dish: Spreading the chicken evenly ensures each piece cooks thoroughly and is generously coated in the rich sauce.
- Resting Time: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and prevents it from being too runny when served, allowing the flavors to settle.
What to Serve With Your Casserole:
This is a truly filling and satisfying dish on its own. However, for a complete and balanced meal, we love serving it with a crisp, small side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Additionally, some warm, crusty dinner rolls or biscuits are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible cheddar cheese sauce on your plate. A simple green vegetable like steamed green beans or asparagus could also complement the dish beautifully.
Customization & Variations: Make It Your Own!
One of the best parts about homemade cooking is the ability to customize. Feel free to experiment with this recipe to suit your family’s preferences:
- Cheese Variations: While cheddar is classic, you could experiment with a blend of cheeses. A little Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or even some Parmesan could add different layers of flavor.
- Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the cheese mixture would be a welcome addition. Garlic powder and onion powder can also enhance the savory notes.
- Add More Veggies: If you’re looking to sneak in more vegetables, consider adding sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach to the casserole. Just be sure to drain any excess moisture from fresh vegetables before adding.
- Different Toppings: While Ritz crackers are traditional, you could use panko breadcrumbs mixed with butter for a lighter crisp, or even crushed cornflakes for a different kind of crunch.
- Creamier Texture: For an even richer and creamier sauce, consider adding a small amount of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream to the cheddar soup mixture.
Storage & Reheating Tips
This casserole is fantastic for meal prep or for enjoying leftovers. Here’s how to store and reheat it:
- Storage: Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions or the entire casserole (if using a freezer-safe dish) for up to 2-3 months. If freezing the whole casserole, it’s best to do so before baking or to under-bake slightly, then fully bake from frozen. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, cover the casserole loosely with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes for individual servings or longer for a whole casserole. You can also microwave individual portions until hot. Add a splash of milk if the sauce seems too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making this delicious casserole:
- Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen? Yes, absolutely! If using fresh broccoli, make sure to chop it into bite-sized florets. You might want to blanch it for 2-3 minutes before adding it to the casserole to ensure it cooks tender-crisp in the same amount of time as the chicken.
- What if I don’t have seasoned salt? You can create your own seasoned salt blend by combining salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Alternatively, a good all-purpose poultry seasoning would also work well.
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes, chicken thighs would also be delicious in this casserole, offering a richer flavor. Adjust baking time as needed; thighs might cook slightly faster or slower depending on their size. Ensure they reach 165°F (74°C).
- My sauce seems too thin/thick. What can I do? If the sauce seems too thin after combining the soup and milk, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a little cold milk to thicken it slightly before pouring. If it’s too thick, simply add a bit more milk (a tablespoon at a time) until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time? Yes, this casserole is great for prepping in advance! Assemble the entire dish (without baking) and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to bring it closer to room temperature, and you might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Explore More Great Copycat Recipes!
If you loved making this Cracker Barrel classic, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic copycat recipes:
- Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade
- KFC Famous Bowl
- Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade
- Dunkaroo Dip
- Red Robin Campfire Sauce
- Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
- Red Robin Freckled Lemonade
Do you love recipes as much as we do? Don’t miss out on our extensive collections! Check out our dedicated sections for more copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and our wonderfully convenient Crock Pot Recipes for effortless cooking.
Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe
Delicious Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken recipe you can make at home. Perfect for any night of the week.
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15
45
1
4
687kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Breast boneless, skinless, about 2 pounds
- 10.5 oz Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 1.5 cups Milk
- 42 Ritz Crackers crushed
- 4 Tablespoon Butter melted
- 10.8 oz Broccoli frozen
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- Salt to season the chicken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
- Combine cheddar cheese soup and milk according to the soup container directions. Stir well to ensure it is fully combined and smooth.
- Place chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading them out evenly. Season the chicken generously with salt.
- Pour ¾ of the prepared soup mixture over the chicken breasts. Top with the frozen broccoli florets, distributing them evenly.
- In a separate bowl, combine crushed Ritz Crackers with melted butter and stir until fully coated. Pour this cracker mixture over the chicken and soup in the casserole dish. Then, pour the remaining cheddar cheese soup over the crackers.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74°C). Baking time may vary based on the size of the chicken breasts.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle evenly with the shredded cheddar cheese. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the sauce to set before serving.
Kitchen Tools
- 9X13 Baking Dish
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Meat Thermometer
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 297
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