Uncle Herschel's Favorite from Cracker Barrel features tender grilled chicken, savory fried chicken, hand-battered country fried steak, and seasoned meatloaf, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, and golden-brown mac and cheese, delivering a hearty and comforting Southern-style meal.
Equipments
- Grill
- Fryer
- Stove
- Oven
- Meat tenderizer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Saucepan
- Sheet pan
- Masher
- Cutting board
- Chef knife
- Tongs
- Serving plates
Ingredients
- Grilled Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Fried Chicken:
- 2 bone-in chicken thighs
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Buttermilk
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Vegetable oil
- Country Fried Steak:
- 2 cube steaks
- Salt
- Black pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Vegetable oil
- Meatloaf:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 lbs (900g) russet potatoes
- Salt
- Butter
- Milk
- Black pepper
- Green Beans:
- 1 lb (450g) fresh green beans
- Salt
- Butter
- Black pepper
- Mac and Cheese:
- 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt
- Black pepper
Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the grilled chicken to ensure tenderness and flavor. Soak the bone-in chicken thighs in buttermilk before frying to achieve a crispy, juicy crust. When preparing the country fried steak, properly tenderize the cube steaks and coat them evenly with the seasoned flour mixture for best results. For the meatloaf, combining ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, and eggs helps maintain moisture and texture. Your meal will closely replicate Uncle Herschel's Favorite from Cracker Barrel when these ingredient tips are followed carefully.
Instructions
- Marinate grilled chicken with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill chicken breasts until fully cooked, turning once.
- Season bone-in chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.
- Dip thighs in buttermilk, then dredge in seasoned flour (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder).
- Heat vegetable oil in fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chicken thighs until golden and cooked through; drain on paper towels.
- Season cube steaks with salt and black pepper.
- Dip steaks in buttermilk, then dredge in seasoned flour (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder).
- Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry cube steaks until crispy and cooked through; drain.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in mixing bowl.
- Form into a loaf and place in baking dish.
- Bake meatloaf for 45-55 minutes until cooked through.
- Peel, chop, and boil russet potatoes in salted water until tender.
- Drain and mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and black pepper.
- Trim green beans; boil or steam until tender.
- Toss green beans with butter, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions; drain.
- In saucepan, melt butter; whisk in flour and cook briefly.
- Gradually add milk, whisking until thickened.
- Stir in cheddar cheese until smooth.
- Combine cooked pasta with cheese sauce; season with salt and black pepper.
- Arrange grilled chicken, fried chicken, country fried steak, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and mac and cheese on serving plates.
Substitution
Uncle Herschel's Favorite from Cracker Barrel copycat features a Southern-style combo of grilled chicken, fried chicken, country fried steak, and meatloaf served with mashed potatoes, green beans, and mac and cheese. If boneless chicken breasts aren't available for the grilled chicken, you can substitute with chicken thighs, adjusting cooking time to ensure doneness. When frying the chicken or country fried steak, vegetable oil can be replaced with peanut or canola oil for a higher smoke point and crispier coating. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a substitute for ground beef in the meatloaf for a lighter option, but make sure to monitor cooking temperature to keep it moist. You can steam green beans instead of boiling them to retain more nutrients and a firmer texture.
Tips
Ensure the frying oil maintains a steady temperature of 350degF (175degC) to achieve crispy fried chicken and country fried steak without becoming greasy. When preparing the mashed potatoes, use russet potatoes and drain them thoroughly before mashing with butter and warm milk to reach a creamy texture. Marinate the grilled chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and black pepper and preheat the grill to medium-high heat for even cooking. Remember to trim green beans properly before boiling or steaming, then toss with butter and seasoning to enhance their flavor for your meal.
Nutritions
Uncle Herschel's Favorite offers a balanced Southern-style meal with lean protein from grilled chicken and ground beef in the meatloaf, complemented by protein-rich fried chicken and country fried steak. The creamy mashed potatoes and mac and cheese add carbohydrates and calcium, while fresh green beans provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Seasoning with salt, black pepper, and herbs enhances flavor without adding significant calories, supporting your nutritional needs. Enjoy this hearty plate knowing it covers key macronutrients and micronutrients for a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
Storage
Store leftover Uncle Herschel's Favorite components separately in airtight containers to maintain their flavors and textures. Refrigerate cooked chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and mac and cheese within two hours of cooking and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness. When reheating, use a grill or oven for grilled and fried items to retain crispiness, and microwave or stovetop for sides, ensuring your meal remains as delicious as when freshly prepared.
Variation or Alternatives
For a healthier twist, consider baking the fried chicken and country fried steak instead of deep frying, using a light spray of oil to achieve crispiness. Swap russet potatoes for sweet potatoes in the mashed potato recipe to add a subtle sweetness and extra nutrients to Your meal. Try roasting the green beans with garlic and lemon zest to enhance their flavor and add a slight caramelized texture. For the mac and cheese, mix in some smoked gouda or pepper jack cheese to introduce a smoky or spicy depth.
Allergies
Uncle Herschel's Favorite contains common allergens such as dairy (milk, butter, cheddar cheese), eggs, and wheat (all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs) in various components like meatloaf, fried chicken, country fried steak, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. Individuals with gluten intolerance or egg and dairy allergies should exercise caution or confirm ingredient specifics with the restaurant. Your safest option is to communicate any allergies clearly to avoid adverse reactions.
Why this recipe?
Uncle Herschel's Favorite menu at Cracker Barrel is beloved for its hearty Southern comfort food, featuring dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, country fried steak, and homemade biscuits. The menu offers generous portions made from scratch, using traditional recipes that evoke nostalgic flavors and warm, satisfying meals. You'll appreciate how creating a copycat recipe allows you to enjoy these classic tastes at home, tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. Replicating this menu is worth it because it delivers authentic, comforting flavors that are hard to find in many other dining experiences.