Cracker Barrell Broccoli Cheddar Chicken–an Instant Pot or Crockpot take on a Cracker Barrel favorite! It’s got chicken, cheese, broccoli, creamy sauce and Ritz cracker topping.
Cracker Barrell Broccoli Cheddar Chicken (Instant Pot or Crockpot)
Today I’m sharing my take on Cracker Barrel’s broccoli cheddar chicken. You can make this recipe in the Instant Pot, Crockpot or in the oven. My version is more of a family-style casserole than individual chicken breasts like you’d order at the restaurant.
If you’re a fan of broccoli casserole you will love this version! I have people in my household that do not love broccoli casserole and others who love it. I am one of the people who love it. I grew up on casseroles like this one and it was always something I looked forward to. This version doesn’t have a carb base like rice so if you’d like you can serve it over rice or buttered egg noodles. You can also just serve it, as is, with a side of fruit.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Chopped, cooked chicken–I used rotisserie chicken. Another good option is to use my seasoned shredded chicken recipe.
- Cheddar cheese soup–or cream of chicken soup. You can also make a homemade version.
- Frozen broccoli–You could use fresh broccoli florets instead, but you should at least partially cook it or it will most likely not get soft enough.
- Evaporated milk–you can also use half and half.
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Shredded cheddar cheese–I shred mine off the block for best results
- Ritz crackers
Instant Pot Steps
- Stir ingredients together: In a large mixing bowl add the chicken, soup, broccoli, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, half of the cheese and half of the Ritz. Stir to combine well.
- Spoon into dish: Add the mixture into a deep pot-in-pot dish. I used my 7×4 inch Fat Daddios pan* but you can also use a 3 quart IP liner* inside a 6 or 8 quart liner.
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Pour 1 ½ cups water into bottom of Instant Pot. Place a trivet into the pot. Lower the pot-in-pot dish into the Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 30 minutes. This may seem like a long time but the dish is so deep that it takes a while to cook all the way through. If you’d like to cut down on the cooking time then warm the broccoli before adding it in and cut the pressure cooking time down to 20 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting and remove the lid.
- Crisp up the top: Sprinkle the remaining cheese and Ritz over the top. Use an air fryer lid* to crisp up the top by cooking for 3 minutes at 375 degrees.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve as is or serve over hot cooked rice or buttered egg noodles. Serve with a side of fruit.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with the other half of your evaporated milk are Instant Pot Sour Cream And Onion Smashed Potato Casserole or Instant Pot Bacon Macaroni And Cheese.
More Instant Pot Recipes with Broccoli…
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
A lightened up, easy pressure cooker version of a favorite casserole. This version uses brown rice and for the creaminess it uses greek yogurt instead of cream of chicken soup.
Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
Tender pieces of beef are served alongside broccoli and a savory and slightly sweet Asian sauce for a homemade version of your favorite Chinese takeout dish.
Instant Pot Broccoli Chicken Mac and Cheese
Creamy macaroni and cheese made quickly in your instant pot with tender bites of chicken and (not crisp, but not mushy) broccoli florets. This is an easy one pot meal that the whole family will love!
Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Rice
Creamy risotto-like rice with cheddar, broccoli and (optional) pieces of chicken breast. A one pot family-friendly meal perfect for a busy weeknight.
Instant Pot Chicken Curry Broccoli Casserole
Creamy mild curry-flavored rice with chunks of tender chicken, florets of broccoli and lots of grated cheddar. A family favorite casserole recipe perfect for any weeknight.
Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Casserole
Fresh broccoli, melty cheese, smoked sausage, a homemade creamy sauce and rice make this casserole the quintessential comfort food. An easy Instant Pot recipe with no browning or sauteing steps.
Instant Pot French Onion Broccoli Casserole
Instant Pot French Onion Broccoli Casserole—broccoli coated in creamy french onion dip, cheddar cheese and then topped with crispy fried onions. Even broccoli haters love this casserole!
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup–reminiscent of Panera Bread’s broccoli cheddar soup this pressure cooker version has chopped broccoli, carrots and celery simmered in a velvety smooth cheese sauce.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Cracker Barrell Broccoli Cheddar Chicken (Instant Pot or Crockpot)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
An Instant Pot or Crockpot take on the Cracker Barrel favorite! It’s got chicken, cheese, broccoli, creamy sauce and Ritz cracker topping.
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped, cooked chicken (I used rotisserie chicken)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cheddar cheese soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 1 (12 oz) bag of frozen broccoli
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk (you can also use half and half)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers (about 32), crushed, divided
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl add the chicken, soup, broccoli, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, half of the cheese and half of the Ritz. Stir to combine well.
- Add the mixture into a deep pot-in-pot dish. (I used my 7×4 inch Fat Daddios pan*)
- Pour 1 ½ cups water into bottom of Instant Pot. Place a trivet into the pot. Lower the pot-in-pot dish into the Instant Pot.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 30 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting and remove the lid.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese and Ritz over the top. Use an air fryer lid to crisp up the top by cooking for 3 minutes at 375 degrees.
- Serve and enjoy!
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl add the chicken, soup, broccoli, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, half of the cheese and half of the Ritz. Stir to combine well.
- Add the mixture into slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese and Ritz over the top. Let the cheese melt.
- Serve and enjoy!
Oven Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl add the chicken, soup, broccoli, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, half of the cheese and half of the Ritz. Stir to combine well.
- Add the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and Ritz over the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes
- Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot/Slow Cooker/Oven
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This looks so good. Do you have to use milk, or could you use chicken broth?
You can use chicken broth 🙂
This sounds delish. Could you use fresh broccoli? How would that alter the IP cook time?
You could use fresh broccoli that you blanch or steam first. If you add it straight in there it won’t come out properly.
Could I just skip instapot and bake it in the oven instead?
There are oven instructions at the bottom of the recipe card…that should help you!
This sounds good, I have not made it yet as I am questioning the 30 minutes cook time. This seems like way too long for already cooked chicken. Worried also that the veggies would be mush.
★★★★★
This may seem like a long time but the dish is so deep that it takes a while to cook all the way through. If you’d like to cut down on the cooking time then warm the broccoli before adding it in and cut the pressure cooking time down to 20 minutes.