Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken (Copycat Recipe)

The first time I tasted this creamy, cheesy chicken dish at Cracker Barrel, I immediately knew I needed to recreate it at home. This comforting casserole combines tender chicken breasts, fresh broccoli, and a velvety cheddar sauce topped with buttery crackers. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table with smiles on their faces. In less than an hour, you can have this restaurant-favorite on your dinner table, looking and tasting just like the original. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Homemade copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole and rice on a brown plate.

What makes the copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken recipe so good?

The magic of this Cracker Barrel copycat lies in its perfect combination of textures and flavors. Juicy chicken provides a hearty base, while the creamy cheese sauce adds richness that balances beautifully with the fresh broccoli. The buttery Ritz cracker topping creates that signature golden crunch that makes this dish irresistible. Best of all, it transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Chicken Breasts – Forms the protein foundation of this dish, remaining juicy under the cheese sauce
  • Cheddar Cheese Soup Mix – Creates the creamy, cheesy base that permeates the entire dish
  • Whole Milk – Adds richness and helps achieve the perfect consistency in the cheese sauce
  • Ritz Crackers – Provides the signature buttery, crunchy topping that Cracker Barrel is known for
  • Butter – Binds the cracker topping and adds rich flavor throughout
  • Frozen Broccoli – Adds color, nutrition, and texture that complements the creamy elements
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Creates the perfect melty topping and enhances the cheesy flavor
  • Seasoned Salt – Perfectly seasons the chicken and ties all flavors together
Ingredients for homemade copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole .

How to Make Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken

  1. Preheat the oven. Spray non-stick spray into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
  2. Prepare the Cheddar cheese soup according to the directions on the can.
  3. Place chicken breasts in the prepared casserole dish.
  4. Sprinkle seasoned salt on the chicken.
  5. Pour ¾ of the prepared soup cheese mixture over the chicken breasts.
  6. Add broccoli to the chicken that has been covered with the cheddar soup.
  7. Melt butter and combine with crushed Ritz crackers. Sprinkle buttered crackers over the broccoli.
Homemade copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole in a blue baking dish.
  1. Add remaining cheesy sauce and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes or until the chicken is done.
  2. Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
Homemade copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole and rice on a brown plate.

Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken (Copycat Recipe)

Recreate Cracker Barrel's famous cheesy chicken casserole at home with this easy copycat recipe. Tender chicken, broccoli, and a crispy cracker topping make this the ultimate comfort food!
4.97 from 26 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, Cracker Barrel Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 1354kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds chicken breasts 4 portions, boneless and skinless
  • 1 can cheddar cheese soup 10.25 ounces
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Ritz Crackers crushed
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 8 ounces broccoli frozen
  • 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Make can of Cheddar cheese soup mix according to package directions (one can of soup mix to one can of milk). Place chicken breasts in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Season the chicken with seasoned salt. Pour 3/4 of the prepared soup over the chicken breasts. 
  • Add broccoli to chicken that has been covered with the cheddar soup. Melt butter and combine with Ritz crackers, sprinkle buttered crackers over the broccoli. Add remaining soup mix, and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the chicken is done. (Check chicken by cutting the thickest part and look to see that the chicken is uniform in color). When the chicken has been removed from oven sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.

Video

Notes

For maximum flavor, consider marinating your chicken breasts in a simple brine (salt water solution) for 30 minutes before assembling the casserole. This ensures juicy, well-seasoned chicken throughout. If using fresh broccoli instead of frozen, blanch it for 2 minutes before adding to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 1354kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 86g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Cholesterol: 281mg | Sodium: 5234mg | Potassium: 4924mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 4360IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 636mg | Iron: 2.7mg

Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Casserole is a dish you don’t want to miss. This is the perfect dish to sneak in some broccoli for your family. I like to bring this dish to a family potluck, the dish always comes back empty.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: This casserole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

Reheating: For best results, reheat in the microwave in 1-2 minute increments until fully heated through. To restore some crispness to the topping, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes after microwaving.

Homemade copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole on top of rice on a plate.

Do you love Cracker Barrel? Try these copycat recipes!

Be sure to check out more of my chicken recipes for dinner and the best Cracker Barrel copycat recipes.

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Carmen Torres

      I just had this meal at Cracker Barrel and I know it was not made with Ritz crackers. It was made with some type of bread crumbs.

  1. pluckiducki

    Is it a whole stick of butter or 1/2 a stick? The written recipe says one thing but the video another. Looks yummy!

  2. diane

    This is so wrong as I work there for 15 years. just wish people would not say it is there recipe try saying it is some what like theres

  3. Ruth Shapovalov

    I’m going to try this but I will buy non-MSG filled soup! 🙂 I know I can get cream of mushroom that doesn’t have MSG; not sure about cheddar.

  4. Virginia Trudeau

    This recipe was awful. Not at all like Cracker Barrel’s rich, creamy, flavorful casserole. The recipe turned out thin, bland and quite runny.

  5. Susan

    Thank you for the recipe, I’m preparing this tonight. My cousin told me about it and said that it has become one of her family’s favorites.

  6. Sherri Head

    I didn’t have the cheese soup so I used cream of chicken & sprinkled French’s dried onions over them…then I sprinkled a little mozzarella cheese on the broccoli…after it came out of the oven I sprinkled the shredded cheddar on & covered it wirh foil & let it sit till the cheese melted…oh & I used the honey wheat ritz…yumm-o!

  7. Tara

    When I made this recipe i altered it slightly.. I make the cheddar cheese soup with about 3/4 can of milk instead of a whole can it just seems to thicken it up better this way.. Also I pour the entire soup mixture over the chicken and then push broccoli down into the soup all over not just on top of the chicken like in the video.. Then i top with the cracker/butter mixture and it seems to get crispy this way instead of soggy with the extra soup poured over it.. Delicious!!

  8. Joanna

    I’m not sure if you did or not,
    but when you were putting the chicken in the dish, it did not appear that you
    took the time to wash your hands between the time you put the chicken in and
    picked up & used the all-purpose seasoning.
    Just a suggestion…you might want to make a statement that whenever you
    are using any kind of meat (ESPECIALLY chicken/poultry) you want to make sure
    that you wash your hands well so there’s no cross-contamination. Just my thoughts on how I viewed the recipe. This looks good…I love Cracker Barrel, I’ll
    have to try this (even though this is very similar to a recipe I already
    make…it was one that I made up myself).

    • Stephanie Manley

      I appreciate the suggestion. While I wash my hands between the steps, you may not see it in editing. I appreciate the suggestion you offer. It is difficult trying to make the videos short enough to keep interest, and long enough to keep all crucial steps.

      Thank you.

    • Mildred Kimber

      keep repeat the meat section and you can clearly see the edited of the film and i thought she was very professional in the video very good editing the way the professional do it and you don’t question if they wash their hand when you see it.

      • Stephanie

        I think some folks think that video needs to catch every step. I tend to think video should be more about catching the highlights. You really don’t want to see every single step. It is about as exciting as watching paint dry.

  9. Bonnie from Iowa

    You made a mistake in the video and said ” I made my soup according to
    package directions and that was one can of cream of chicken
    soup……..should have been cheddar cheese soup. Just wanted you to know……it might be good with cream of chicken soup too! Would need to add cheese though.

4.97 from 26 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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