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.
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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
How to Make Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
- Preheat the oven. Spray non-stick spray into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the Cheddar cheese soup according to the directions on the can.
- Place chicken breasts in the prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle seasoned salt on the chicken.
- Pour ¾ of the prepared soup cheese mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Add broccoli to the chicken that has been covered with the cheddar soup.
- Melt butter and combine with crushed Ritz crackers. Sprinkle buttered crackers over the broccoli.
- Add remaining cheesy sauce and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes or until the chicken is done.
- Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken (Copycat Recipe)
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
Nutrition
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.
Do you love Cracker Barrel? Try these copycat recipes!
- Pot Roast with Mushrooms
- Homestyle Fried Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Tenders
- Cracker Barrel Potatoes
- Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers
- Eggs in a Basket
- Ham and Egg Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake
- Smore Dessert
Popular Chicken Casserole Recipes
- Leftover Chicken Casserole
- King Ranch Casserole
- Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- Chicken and Dressing Casserole
Be sure to check out more of my chicken recipes for dinner and the best Cracker Barrel copycat recipes.
Followed the recipe to a “T” & it turned out perfectly. Next time though I will double the cheese sauce and broccoli,filet the chicken breast and put the crackers on last. This is my husband’s favorite meal and he says it’s an exact dupe for Cracker Barrel. Kudos to you! Great recipe!
I made my own cheddar cheese soup. And mixed in cauliflower with the broccoli.
I made this last night it was spot on for cracker barrels. Loved it, thanks 😉
I live on Guahan, so I improvise a lot. For this recipe, I made half in an 8×6 because it’s just hubby and me. For the chicken, I denied, deskinned, and chopped 4 thighs. With no cheese soup or Velveeta available, I mixed milk into salsa con queso chip dip. Give it a little kick. Served on soy sauce seasoned calrose rice as is our custom. Thanks for an easy casserole idea.
*deboned not denied, sorry spell check
Naked 45 mins as directed, chicken ia nowhere near done.
Chicken can vary in size.
Is the calorie and carb count for the whole recipe or one serving.
Calories are per serving.
I asked Cracker barrels waitress how they made the chicken so tender. She said they bake the chicken and broccoli together and as soon as it comes out of the oven they pour the cheese sauce over the chicken breast.
Make this all the time with a few revisions. I cut of the chicken in bite size pieces.
1.) 16 oz bag of broccoli
2.) Cream of chicken instead of cheddar cheese w/ 1 can milk
3.) 2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese.
4.) 2 cups leftover rice
5.) 1 cup sour cream
Mix everything together and pour in pan..
6.) Use crushed croutons (herb & garlic) instead of Ritz on top.
can you tell me what tempt o bake that at and do i cover and for how long do i cook it for? thanks.
I didn’t have age the cheddar soup, but had packages of velveeta cheese sauce, added milk to the cheese sauce so they sip pourable and it was deliciously. Am definitely making this again. Is for the recipe.
I hope that worked out well for you.
I pinned this, but I have a question about ingredient list. 1 can cheddar cheese soup and 1 cup milk. Directions say to mix up soup as directed on the can. So, is it 1 cup of milk to the condensed cheese soup, or 1 can of milk to the cheese soup? Thanks. One reviewer stated the sauce was thin, so maybe she added an extra cup of milk?
Please make the soup mix, with one can of milk (please use the soup can to measure your milk).
Looks delish Steph. I’ll try it with fresh broccoli as I enjoy the crunch. Also like your idea of making my own cheese sauce. Thanks
I’ve actually used cream of chicken or cream of celery, I don’t care for mushroom. Also I make this the day or two after we have broccoli and chicken for dinner. I just use leftovers. I’ve also used sour cream. It’s kind of a “use whatever you’ve got” recipe. It may not be exactly like Cracker Barrel, but it sure is good!
This recipe sounded very tasty & easy to me, but you almost lost me when I saw that it called for those nasty tasting Ritz crackers! I can make a much tastier topping than that, so I’m now looking forward to trying out this recipe.
What would you use to substitute the Ritz Crackers?
So the recipe is made with Ritz crackers, I guess you could use whatever cracker you have on hand.
This recipe is extremely easy to put together, and once you place it in the oven, you are free to do other things
We love Cracker Barrel and try to go there everytime we are going to eat out. Never had a bad meal there always delicious and you get plenty. We live in Canada but come to the US in the winter so take advantage of enjoying Cracker Barrel everytime we come
I’ve been making this for a couple yrs now.I cut chicken breast into bite sized pieces instead of leaving breast whole.I put all of the ritz crackers/butter mixture on the top.
That would be a great way to do it as well. Thanks for sharing.
Yes I cut mine as well and tossed in some rice and was quite good.
I hate Cracker Barrel. It is the one restaurant I always try to avoid. The only thing I’ve ever liked there is Broccoli Cheddar Chicken. Of course it isn’t always available, so I was very happy to find this recipe. I’ve made it several times and it is delicious! Now I can have my Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and not go to a restaurant I don’t like. Thanks!
Well I am glad you can have this dish any time you like now. I always think there are some good dishes at any restaurant. Although at some, I think it is the drink you order
I use cream of broccoli
I bet it is tasty with the cream of broccoli.
Love the recipes, but due to food restrictions, have to leave them alone.
This looks really good! Love your video!
Thank you very much Jaren. I appreciate you watching the video, and I hope you give the recipe a try.