Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe
Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken is an easy copycat dinner recipe made with tender chicken, broccoli, rice and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce.
Finished with melted cheddar and buttery crackers, it has the same comforting flavors as the restaurant favorite in a filling casserole the whole family can enjoy.
This recipe comes together in about 40 minutes, making it a practical choice for busy weeknights, potlucks or a cozy Sunday dinner.
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What are the ingredients for Cracker Barrel oven baked broccoli cheddar chicken?
- White rice – Cook the rice according to its package directions before adding it to the casserole.
- Chicken breasts – Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Broccoli – Fresh or frozen broccoli will work. Avoid overcooking it before assembling the casserole. Drain frozen broccoli thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from thinning the cheese sauce.
- Cream of chicken soup – Creates the creamy base for the casserole.
- Velveeta cheese sauce – Helps make the sauce smooth, rich and cheesy.
- Cheddar cheese – Melts over the casserole and adds more cheddar flavor.
- Ritz crackers – Give the casserole its buttery, crunchy topping.
- Melted butter – Helps the cracker crumbs brown and become crisp.
- Salt and pepper – Season the chicken according to your taste.
- Olive oil – Used for cooking the chicken.
Refer to the recipe card below for the complete measurements and instructions.
How to make Cracker Barrel broccoli cheddar chicken?
- Cook diced chicken until browned and fully cooked, or use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Prepare white rice separately.
- Mix melted butter with crushed crackers for the topping.
- In a bowl, combine cream of chicken soup and Velveeta cheese sauce, thinning with milk if desired.
- Stir together chicken, broccoli, and cheese sauce, then transfer to a baking dish.
- Add the cracker topping shortly before baking so it stays crisp.
- Cover with foil, and bake.
- Uncover, add shredded cheddar, and bake again until melted and bubbly.
- Let the finished casserole rest for five minutes. This gives the creamy filling time to settle and makes it easier to serve.
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Yes. Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe or disposable baking dish, but leave off the crackers. Cover the dish tightly and freeze it after the ingredients have cooled. Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Add the buttery cracker topping immediately before baking so it does not become soggy. The casserole may need additional baking time when it is cold.
Yes. Substitute chopped rotisserie chicken for the chicken breasts to make the casserole even faster. Because the chicken is already cooked, you can skip the skillet step and add it directly to the mixing bowl.
What to serve with broccoli cheddar chicken
Because this version contains chicken, broccoli and rice, it can easily be served as a complete meal. You can also pair it with warm garlic bread twists or homemade buttermilk biscuits.
For something fresh alongside the rich cheese sauce, serve the casserole recipe with a simple green salad or a crisp Caesar salad.
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Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice cooked according to package directions
- 1 ½ lb chicken breasts diced
- 2 cups broccoli fresh or frozen
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 (10-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (4-ounce) packet Velveeta cheese sauce
Instructions
- The first thing to do is dice juicy white meat chicken into 1 inch pieces.
- Saute them until they are browned and cook through in about a tablespoon of olive oil.
- Season with kosher salt and pepper.
- Cook your rice according to directions.
- If using fresh broccoli, wash and trim the stems.
- If you are using frozen, cook according to your package's directions.
- Place chicken breasts, broccoli and rice in a large mixing bowl.
- Add in the can of cream of chicken and velveeta.
- Stir to combine.
- Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- Spoon cracker barrel broccoli cheddar chicken casserole mixture into the baking dish.
- Top the casserole with the shredded cheese.
- Bake the broccoli casserole at 350 until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
Pictures are showing how yummy this recipe. Thanks for sharing…
Looks tasty! Good way to sneak in some veggies