Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Copycat Recipe

Why This Dish Feels Like Home

Some meals just hug you. This chicken is one of them. It is warm and creamy and crunchy all at once. I first had it at a roadside diner years ago. I knew I had to make my own version.

That is the magic of copycat recipes. They bring restaurant joy to your kitchen table. It matters because cooking is a way to share love. This dish makes sharing easy. Does your family have a favorite restaurant meal you wish you could make at home?

Let’s Get Everything Ready

First, turn your oven to 350°F. Grease your favorite baking dish. I use my old ceramic one. It has seen many family dinners.

Now, chop your onion and garlic. Melt the butter in a pan. Cook them until they smell sweet. Doesn’t that smell amazing? That smell is the start of something good. Fun fact: Cooking onions slowly makes them taste sweeter, not sharp.

The Heart of the Matter: The Sauce

This sauce is the cozy blanket for the chicken. Turn the heat down low. Add the cheese soup, sour cream, milk, and Parmesan. Stir it all together until it’s smooth and friendly.

This step matters. A gentle simmer makes the flavors marry. I still laugh at that time I rushed it. The sauce was grainy! Patience makes it perfect. Do you prefer sour cream or Greek yogurt for creaminess in recipes?

Building Your Masterpiece

Lay your chicken in the dish. Give it a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Pile the broccoli on top. It looks like a little green mountain.

Now, pour that golden sauce over everything. The crushed Ritz crackers go on next. They make the magic top crust. Finish with a heap of cheddar cheese. Are you a team “extra crispy topping” or team “extra cheesy”?

The Waiting Game

Bake it for 35 to 45 minutes. The top will be bubbly and golden brown. The chicken should be cooked through. Use a thermometer if you have one.

Here is the secret. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes after baking. This matters so much. The sauce thickens. The chicken soaks up all the flavor. It is hard to wait, but it is worth it. Then, just serve and enjoy the smiles.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
boneless, skinless chicken breasts	3-4 (about 2 pounds total)
Salt and pepper	to taste
unsalted butter	2 tablespoons
white onion, minced	1 cup
garlic, minced	2 cloves
condensed cheddar cheese soup	1 (10.5 ounce) can
sour cream or Greek yogurt	1/2 cup
milk	1/2 cup	Whole milk recommended for extra creaminess
Parmesan cheese, grated	1/4 cup
broccoli florets, roughly chopped	8 ounces	Fresh or frozen (thawed)
Ritz crackers, coarsely crushed	2 cups
sharp cheddar cheese, shredded	1 cup

My Cozy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken

Hello, dear. Come sit at the table. Let’s make my Broccoli Cheddar Chicken. It’s pure comfort food. It reminds me of Sunday dinners with my grandkids. The kitchen would be full of laughter. This dish always brought everyone together. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It’s simple to make, I promise. We’ll have it bubbling in no time.

You just need a few trusty ingredients. Cheddar soup makes the sauce so easy. And Ritz crackers give the top a wonderful crunch. I still laugh at that. My grandson once ate the crackers right out of the box. We had to crush more! Ready? Let’s begin.

• Step 1: First, turn your oven to 350°F. Grease your favorite baking dish lightly. I use a bit of butter on a paper towel. This stops everything from sticking. Set your dish aside for now. It’s waiting for all the good stuff.
• Step 2: Now, let’s cook our onions and garlic. Melt the butter in a pan. Add them in and let them sizzle softly. Stir them now and then. Cook until they smell sweet and look soft. This is the best smell in the world, I think.
• Step 3: Time for the magic sauce! Turn the heat down low. Pour in the cheddar soup, sour cream, milk, and Parmesan. Stir it all until it’s one happy, creamy family. Let it get just a little bubbly. Then take it off the heat. (A hard-learned tip: don’t let it boil hard or it might get grainy).
• Step 4: Season your chicken with salt and pepper. Lay the pieces in your dish. Pile the broccoli right on top. It’s like a little green blanket. Pour that lovely sauce over everything. Now, the fun part! Sprinkle the crushed crackers and shredded cheddar on top. Do you think the crackers get soggy or stay crunchy? Share below!
• Step 5: Bake it for 35 to 45 minutes. The top will be golden and beautiful. The chicken should be cooked all the way through. I use a thermometer to be sure. It should read 160°F. Then we let it rest. This is very important.
• Step 6: Take the dish out of the oven. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The sauce will thicken up nicely. The chicken will finish cooking gently. Then, it’s finally time to eat. Serve it up warm and watch those smiles.

Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner

Let’s Shake Things Up!

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s always there for you. But sometimes, it’s fun to play dress-up! Here are three easy twists. Try one next time.

• Ham & Swiss Swap: Use diced ham instead of chicken. Try Swiss cheese in the sauce. It’s a whole new flavor!
• Everything Bagel Twist: Skip the Ritz. Use everything bagel seasoning on top. You get such a yummy, savory crunch.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Boost: Chop a few sun-dried tomatoes. Mix them right into the sauce. It adds a sweet little punch.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Plate

This chicken makes its own wonderful sauce. So I love to serve it over something to soak it all up. A big scoop of fluffy white rice is perfect. Buttered egg noodles work just as well. For something green, a simple side salad is lovely.

What to drink? For the grown-ups, a glass of chilled Chardonnay pairs nicely. For everyone, a sparkling apple cider is so festive. It cuts through the richness. Which would you choose tonight? Now, dig in. I hope it brings your table as much joy as it has brought mine.

Keeping Your Cozy Chicken Dinner Fresh

This dish stores beautifully for busy weeks. Let it cool completely first. Then, cover it tightly and pop it in the fridge. It will stay good for three to four days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. I wrap individual portions for my grandson’s easy dinners. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat, use your oven for the best texture. Warm it at 350°F until bubbly. The microwave works in a pinch, but the topping gets soft. I learned that the hard way with my first batch! Batch cooking this recipe is a lifesaver. It means a warm, homemade meal is always ready. That matters on tired nights when cooking feels like too much.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

Sometimes our cooking needs a little help. Here are easy fixes. Is your sauce too thick? Just stir in a splash more milk. Is the topping browning too fast? Loosely tent the dish with foil. I once got distracted and my crackers got very dark. It still tasted great, just extra crispy!

Worried about dry chicken? Pound the breasts to an even thickness first. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Getting the timing right builds your confidence. And a creamy, not gloppy, sauce makes every bite comforting. That is what good home cooking is all about.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Questions, My Answers

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use gluten-free crackers and a gluten-free cream soup.

Q: Can I assemble it ahead? A: Absolutely. Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for a day. Add 10 minutes to the bake time.

Q: What can I use instead of Ritz? A: Try crushed saltines, panko, or even seasoned breadcrumbs. *Fun fact: The buttery Ritz crackers are my secret for that classic taste.*

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can! Use two baking dishes so everything cooks evenly.

Q: Any optional add-ins? A: Diced ham or cooked bacon are tasty stirred into the sauce. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe brings warmth to your table. It is a hug in a baking dish. I love seeing your family’s favorite meals. Please share your creations with our community. A photo of your finished dish would make my day.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I would love to see your version. Thank you for cooking along with me. Happy cooking!

—Chloe Hartwell.