Chicken Casserole – Easy Cracker Barrel Copycat

This Cracker Barrel Chicken Casserole is a cozy, creamy dish with tender chicken and a buttery cornbread topping. It’s easy to throw together with simple ingredients and perfect for feeding a crowd or just making leftovers that actually taste good the next day.

Quick Summary

• Prep time: 10 mins
• Cook time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Flavor: creamy, savory, cornbread-y
• Great for: family dinners, make-ahead meals, cold evenings

Why I Like This Recipe

Honestly? I made it because I had some leftover chicken and half a pan of cornbread sitting on the counter. Was too tired to overthink dinner, and this turned out so solid. Like one of those “grab a fork and eat straight from the dish” kinda wins. Plus, it makes a lot. You’ll be set for lunch tomorrow too.

Ingredients

Cornbread Topping:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg

Chicken Casserole Filling:

• 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter

How To Make Chicken Casserole

1. Bake the cornbread: Mix all topping ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Pour into a greased 8×8 pan. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 mins. Let it cool completely.
2. Make the topping: Crumble cooled cornbread. Measure out 3 cups. Stir in 1/2 cup melted butter and set it aside.
3. Cook the filling: In a pan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add onion + celery and cook until soft. Stir in broth, cream of chicken soup, salt, and pepper. Add chicken. Let it simmer 5 mins, then pull off the heat.
4. Assemble it: Pour chicken mixture into a buttered 2.5 qt dish. Top with cornbread crumbs—don’t stir, just layer.
5. Bake: 350°F for 35–40 mins until the top’s golden brown and a little crisp. Let it sit 5–10 mins before serving.

Tips for Success

• Let the cornbread cool fully before crumbling or it gets mushy.
• Use low-sodium broth + soup. That way you’re in control of the salt.
• Dice chicken small. It mixes better and tastes more balanced bite-to-bite.
• Don’t stir the topping into the filling. Layer it. Keeps it crispy on top.
• Rest time matters. It helps everything hold together when scooping.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Keeps 3 days.
• Freezer: Cool it fully, then wrap tight or pop it in a freezer container. Holds up for 2 months.
• Reheat: Use a non-stick skillet over low heat or microwave gently. Just don’t scorch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use store-bought cornbread?
  Yup. Just make sure it’s cooled and not too sweet.
• What’s a good chicken substitute?
  Rotisserie chicken works great. Turkey too.
• Can I make this ahead?
  Yes—assemble it, cover, and refrigerate. Just bake right before serving.
• What veggies can I add?
  Diced carrots, peas, or even green beans work well if you wanna bulk it up.
• Can I make it gluten-free?
  Use gluten-free flour + check your soup brand. Cornmeal’s usually safe.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Using hot cornbread: Don’t do it. It turns to mush and won’t hold up in the topping. Let it cool completely first.
• Stirring the topping in: Tempting, I know. But you’ll lose the crisp. Just gently spread the crumbs over the filling.
• Using full-salt broth + soup: Way too salty. Go for low-sodium and taste as you go.
• Forgetting to simmer the filling: That little simmer time helps everything thicken and taste better. Don’t skip it.
• Serving it straight out of the oven: Too hot and runny. Let it rest 5–10 mins so it firms up.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 582 kcal
• Total Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 141mg
• Sodium: 2111mg
• Potassium: 757mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 50g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 37g

You Might Also Like:

• Biscuits and Gravy Casserole – Easy Cracker Barrel Copycat
• Sweet Potato Casserole – Easy Cracker Barrel Copycat
• Loaded Hashbrown Casserole – Easy Cracker Barrel Copycat
• Ham and Egg Casserole – Easy Cracker Barrel Copycat