Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken (Copycat)
Ingredients (serves 3–4)
Chicken
- 3–4 chicken breasts (or thighs, boneless)
- Salt & black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp oil or butter
Broccoli layer
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, lightly steamed)
- Pinch of salt
Cheddar sauce
- 1 can (10–12 oz) cream of chicken soup (or homemade white sauce if preferred)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Topping
- ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar (optional but recommended)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare chicken
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Lightly sear in a pan for 2–3 minutes per side (optional but adds flavor).
- Place in a greased baking dish.
2. Add broccoli
- Steam broccoli for 2–3 minutes (just to soften slightly).
- Spread evenly over chicken.
3. Make cheddar sauce
- In a bowl, mix:
- cream of chicken soup
- sour cream
- cheddar cheese
- garlic powder, onion powder, pepper
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Pour evenly over chicken and broccoli.
4. Add topping
- Mix crushed crackers with melted butter.
- Sprinkle over casserole.
- Add extra cheddar on top if you want it extra cheesy.
5. Bake
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes
- Cook until bubbling and golden on top.
- Chicken should reach full doneness (juicy and tender).
🍽️ Serving ideas
- Mashed potatoes (very “Cracker Barrel style”)
- Buttered rice
- Dinner rolls or cornbread
🔥 Tips for best results
- Don’t overcook broccoli before baking—it softens more in the oven.
- For richer flavor, use sharp cheddar.
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly.