Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Rice Recipe

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When I lived in Texas, we would go to the Cracker Barrel restaurant about two times a week. It was simple comfort food that made me happy. Now that I am no longer close to a Cracker Barrel, I wanted to recreate one of my favorite dishes at home. After a lot of research, I found the perfect copycat cracker barrel chicken and rice recipe dish.

It’s the perfect comfort food with a healthy twist during the rainy and cold winter months. It was surprisingly simple to make, and all ingredients can be found in your local grocery store.

The most important part of this meal is the broth. To get that same flavor as Cracker Barrel, you need to add lots of seasoning. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper are good combinations.

Since this is a copycat recipe for Cracker Barrel’s dish, I suggest using long-grain white rice instead of brown or wild. You can also want to stir in some fresh parsley or cheddar cheese for added flavor.

This delicious rice casserole is sure to become a family favorite!

Copycat Cracker barrel Chicken and Rice Recipe

Ingredients: (Printable Version Below)

• 1 medium diced onion
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 fresh garlic clove
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• 2 cups semi-cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1 teaspoon Chicken Bouillon (better than chicken bouillon works well too)
• 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice (The Cracker Barrel now uses wild rice- you can use wild, white, or brown rice)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 2 cans cream of chicken/mushroom soup
• 1 can water
• salt and black pepper to taste
  *paprika optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion and garlic in butter until softened.
3. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until tender.
4. Stir in rice, bouillon, cream of chicken soup, water, and seasonings. Make sure to stir the soup mixture well, so it’s nice and smooth. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.
5. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed by the rice.
6. Grab a 9×13 inch casserole dish and cover it with non-stick spray. Toss in the cooked chicken. Transfer the rice and gravy mixture to the baking dish and sprinkle in the flour.
7. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the dish is cooked and the rice is golden and tender. You want to internal temperature to reach 165°F (74°C).
8. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

This chicken recipe is a great comfort food meal for cold winter nights. It’s perfect for a cozy night in with your family or to share as a potluck dish at work or school.

Why your family will love this Recipe:

This classic dish is a comforting and delicious meal that the whole family will love. The chicken provides a good source of protein, while the rice adds a hearty and filling quality to the dish.

This recipe is easy to prepare and only takes 20 minutes in the oven—making it easy enough for busy weeknights. Serve this copycat cracker barrel chicken and rice recipe with a side of green beans or vegetables for a complete meal.

Make This Chicken and Rice Casserole Extra Hearty

For a heartier version of this recipe, feel free to add cooked bacon bits, crushed ritz crackers, or your favorite cheese before baking. You can also adjust the seasonings and spices to suit your tastes! I will sometimes toss in peas and carrots as well.

You can add some sour cream, a dash of paprika or hot sauce, and some parsley once it comes out of the oven. This dish is easy enough for a weeknight meal but delicious enough for company.

Want to Make it Healthier?

Try substituting cooked quinoa or riced cauliflower in place of white rice to lighten this dish up. You can also use low-sodium chicken broth, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, and reduced-fat butter or olive oil.

FAQ:

Q: How do I store leftovers?

A: Store leftover creamy chicken and rice in an airtight container, which will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, place it in a shallow dish, cover it with foil, and warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated.

Q: Can I freeze this Cracker Barrel chicken and rice recipe?

A: Yes! This dish freezes very well. Allow it to cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as described above.

Q: Can I swap out the chicken for some other protein?

A: Absolutely! This dish works great with pork, beef, shrimp, or even tofu. Feel free to experiment and create your version that the whole family will love.

Q: Can I make this dish in a slow cooker or one pan?

This is a pretty easy meal, so you can easily make it in a single pan on the stovetop. If you’d like to use a slow cooker, transfer all ingredients (minus the flour) to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender. Add the flour in during the last 15-30 minutes of cooking.

This copycat Chicken and Rice recipe is sure to become a favorite dish in your family. Try it today and see what all the fuss is about!

Be sure to let us know how it turned out in the comments below. If you want to find more cracker barrel copycat recipes, sign up with our newsletter for all the best recipes, home hacks, kid’s activities, and more.

Happy Eating! 🙂