Learn how to make a spot-on copycat version of Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken with this simple recipe.
The Best Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Copycat Recipe
Updated on Jul. 25, 2022
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!
All of Our Cracker Barrel Copycat Recipes
Cracker Barrel Country Ham CopycatBrowned potatoes are a simple but perfect side for country ham. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
A side of crispy browned potatoes is a perfect complement for a simple slice of Cracker Barrel-inspired country ham. By frying them in ham drippings, the potatoes not only fry up ultra-crisp, but also pick up a ton of extra flavor.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown CasseroleLearn how to replicate the best-ever copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole. This recipe is as good as the real deal!
There's never a bad time of day for hash brown casserole! Serve it alongside steak and eggs for breakfast, with a slice of quiche for brunch, a bowl of soup for lunch or in the evening with fried chicken and green beans.
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This is one of those old-fashioned, simmer-on-the-stove-all-day recipes that sticks to your ribs and is well worth the wait. Serve alongside something light, like a simple side salad, or a bowl of steamed carrots.
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples CopycatTransform crisp apples into a warm, spiced delight with this easy, comforting recipe that's perfect on its own or as a versatile topping for your favorite dishes.
In the mood for apple pie but don't feel like baking? Scoop some vanilla ice cream over a warm bowl of these cinnamon spiced apples, then sprinkle with crushed graham crackers. These apples also make a great topping for homemade pancakes and are a delicious addition to breakfast yogurt parfaits.
Cracker Barrel Meat Loaf Copycat
This has to be one of our best restaurant copycat recipes! You probably won't have leftovers when you make Cracker Barrel-inspired meat loaf. But if there are a few slices left, use them to make meat loaf sandwiches the next day.
Cracker Barrel Biscuits n' Gravy CopycatTreat yourself to a classic southern breakfast with our easy recipe for biscuits and sausage gravy.
Homemade sausage gravy served atop a warm bed of homemade biscuits is a classic, hearty breakfast. It takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served! This recipe uses bulk pork sausage, but breakfast sausage works just as well.
Cracker Barrel Coleslaw CopycatFor 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
All 50 states have their own special kind of sandwich, and Southern-style coleslaw goes perfectly with all of them. Serve this slaw alongside everything from Kentucky-style Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches to Pennsylvania Cola Burgers to Virginia's Bavarian Meatball Hoagies.
Cracker Barrel Roast Beef CopycatEveryone 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
This roast beef recipe uses a surprising cooking method. Instead of roasting in the oven, it browns it on the stovetop in a Dutch oven, then simmers slowly in a rich brown gravy (with an unexpected secret ingredient) until fork tender.
Easy Peach CobblerThis easy peach cobbler is put together with canned peaches and a few staple ingredients—you likely already have everything on hand to make it!
Cracker Barrel Mashed Potatoes CopycatButtermilk mashed potatoes are just as creamy and fluffy as traditional mashed potatoes and require little (or no!) butter. Our recipe includes a little garlic to add a sweet, rich character to the tangy mash.
For mashed potatoes just like Cracker Barrel, use starchy Russet potatoes in this recipe, then simmer them in a flavorful broth before mashing with creamy buttermilk and thinly sliced green onions.
Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Pancakes CopycatI'm not joking when I say I make pancakes every weekend. I love them in any form and variation. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
There's nothing quite like a sky-high stack of fluffy, tangy buttermilk pancakes, and there's no bad time of day to enjoy them! With this recipe you can enjoy breakfast for dinner, just like at Cracker Barrel.
Best HamburgerThis is the only hamburger recipe you need! We'll walk you through how to make hamburger patties that grill up to juicy perfection.
Corn MuffinsThis basic corn muffin recipe has accompanying directions for a sweet honey butter that can be slathered on top, which is especially delicious when the muffins are still warm.
Chicken PotpieLearning how to make chicken potpie from scratch is 100% worth it. This chicken potpie recipe features a flaky, buttery crust packed with chicken, vegetables and a creamy sauce.
Cracker Barrel U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish CopycatGrilled catfish boasts a delicious flavor, especially when it's infused with spices and served with lemon and parsley.
There's a good chance you already have most of the ingredients to make this quick and easy catfish. Simply mix flour and cornmeal with a slew of common spices, dredge your catfish fillets to coat and pan-sear in melted butter. If you're missing any of the spices in this recipe, leave them out or swap them for a premade spice blend, like Old Bay or Cajun blackening spice.
Cracker Barrel Baked Apple Dumplin' CopycatWhen you don't have time to make them the traditional way, apple dumplings with crescent rolls make for an easy and delicious dessert. Forget fussing with a crust, just roll these up and pop them in the oven.
Instead of making homemade pie or biscuit dough for these easy apple dumplings, wedges of tart Granny Smith apples are wrapped in canned crescent rolls, then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and baked with a secret ingredient you definitely won't expect.
Cracker Barrel Pinto Beans CopycatSweet, savory and a little tangy, this pinto bean recipe is simple, flavorful and packed with protein, fiber and plenty of vitamins and minerals.
There are lots of ingredients in this pinto bean recipe that add tons of flavor—like spicy chopped green chile peppers, sweet brown sugar and smoky chili powder—but outside of the beans themselves, the true star of this dish is chopped, thick-cut bacon. If you're a bacon fanatic, feel free to add more than the recipe calls for!
Cracker Barrel Chicken Fried Chicken CopycatHere'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
Instead of using seasoned flour to make this fried chicken, this recipe mixes pulverized corn flake crumbs with a blend of herbs and spices to make a crispier, crunchier coating that holds up when smothered in gravy.
Cracker Barrel Breaded Fried Okra CopycatCrispy, crunchy and absolutely delightful. It's hard to stop eating fried okra once you pop a few of these tasty bites!
Cooking okra quickly and over high heat helps prevent the okra from becoming too slimy. When you're preparing the okra, slice it into bigger chunks instead of thin slices. The smaller you slice, the slimier the okra will get.
Cracker Barrel Turnip Greens CopycatIf you’ve never tried making turnip greens, my recipe is an easy, tasty way to start. Pork and onions give the fresh greens wonderful flavor .—Sandra Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee
Hearty turnip greens become meltingly tender when they're sauteed in bacon grease and slowly simmered. For a more authentic Cracker Barrel copycat recipe, use salty country ham in place of the bacon. (Or better yet, use both!)
