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Creamy Copycat Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole

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A warm, cheesy, and comforting casserole featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy sharp cheddar cheese sauce. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, steamed until tender but still bright green (frozen can be used if fresh isn’t available)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour)
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk, warmed (can swap with almond or oat milk for dairy-free version)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for topping
  • Optional: 4 ounces cream cheese for extra silkiness
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick

Instructions

  1. Shred cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Steam fresh broccoli until just tender and bright green. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the butter, onion, and garlic mixture. Whisk constantly for about 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly pour in warmed milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir until sauce thickens and bubbles gently, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken and steamed broccoli. Pour cheese sauce over and gently fold to coat evenly.
  7. Transfer mixture to a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed crackers evenly on top if desired.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden brown.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce.

Notes

If sauce is too thick before baking, add a splash more milk to loosen. Warm milk before adding to sauce to avoid lumps. Do not cover casserole while baking to achieve a golden crust. For extra gooeyness, add extra cheese halfway through baking. Frozen broccoli can be used but should be thawed and drained thoroughly. Pre-shredded cheese can be used but freshly shredded melts better. Assemble casserole a day ahead and refrigerate for convenience. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli cheddar chicken casserole, copycat Cracker Barrel recipe, creamy chicken casserole, cheesy broccoli casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://milacook.com/creamy-copycat-cracker-barrel-broccoli-cheddar-chicken-casserole-recipe-easy-and-delicious/