Copycat Versions of Our Faves: 10 Must-Try Recipes

1. Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich

If you crave the perfectly seasoned and crispy chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A, you can easily recreate it at home! This recipe uses a simple brine to ensure the chicken is juicy and flavorful.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • Butter for toasting
  • Pickles and your choice of sauce
• Instructions:
  1. Brine the chicken breasts in pickle juice for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight.
  2. In a bowl, combine milk and brined chicken. Let it soak for an additional 20 minutes.
  3. In another bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
  4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Remove chicken from milk, dredge in the flour mixture, and fry for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  5. Toast the hamburger buns in butter, assemble the sandwich with pickles and sauce, and enjoy!

2. Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Those warm, garlicky breadsticks served at Olive Garden are a fan favorite. Here’s how to make them from scratch, so you can enjoy them anytime.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted (for brushing)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, mix yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Add melted butter, flour, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
  4. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Punch down the dough and roll it into 12 sticks.
  5. Place on a baking sheet and let them rise for another 10 minutes. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Mix garlic salt with melted butter and brush over the warm breadsticks before serving.

3. Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Fall isn’t complete without a warm Pumpkin Spice Latte. Skip the line at Starbucks and make your own version at home!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup milk (any kind)
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 shot of espresso or ½ cup strong brewed coffee
  • Whipped cream for topping
  • Extra pumpkin pie spice for garnish
• Instructions:
  1. In a small saucepan, whisk together milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice over medium heat until hot.
  2. Remove from heat, and use a frother or whisk to froth the milk mixture until it’s foamy.
  3. Pour espresso or coffee into a mug and top with the frothed pumpkin milk.
  4. Add whipped cream and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice before serving.

4. Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

Get your Taco Bell fix without leaving the house! This Crunchwrap Supreme is easy to make and customizable to your liking.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 large flour tortilla
  • 1 small flour tortilla
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef or chicken
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • Oil for cooking
• Instructions:
  1. In a skillet, mix cooked meat with taco seasoning and heat through.
  2. Lay the large tortilla flat, spreading sour cream in the center, followed by meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.
  3. Place the small tortilla on top and fold the edges of the large tortilla toward the center to enclose the filling.
  4. Heat a skillet with a little oil over medium heat and place the crunchwrap seam side down. Cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  5. Slice in half and serve with your favorite taco sauce.

5. Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Warm, creamy, and full of flavor, this Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is perfect for chilly days.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1/4 cup diced carrots
  • 1/4 cup diced celery
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook until soft.
  2. Add broccoli and cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. In a separate saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in broth and bring to a boil.
  4. Pour the broth mixture into the vegetable pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in cheddar cheese and heavy cream. Cook until the cheese melts and the soup thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole

Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole is a fan favorite for breakfast or brunch. This recipe brings that comfort food straight to your kitchen!

• Ingredients:
  • 1 (30 oz) bag frozen hashbrowns
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine hashbrowns, onion, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Spread the mixture into a greased baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
  3. Bake for 45-50 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

7. Copycat Wendy’s Frosty

Craving a chocolatey treat? This homemade version of Wendy’s Frosty is rich, creamy, and oh-so-delicious.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup chocolate milk
  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream
  • 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
• Instructions:
  1. In a blender, combine chocolate milk, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour into a cup and serve immediately with a straw or spoon.

8. Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

These cheesy and buttery biscuits are a must-have at any meal. They’re easy to make and will have your family asking for more!

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup melted butter (for brushing)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (for topping)
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne.
  2. Cut in cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cheese and milk until just combined.
  3. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
  4. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt before serving.

9. Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Enjoy the flavors of Chipotle at home with this customizable burrito bowl. Load it up with your favorite toppings!

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 cup black or pinto beans, drained
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, beef, or tofu
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • 1 avocado, sliced
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, layer the cooked rice, beans, and protein of choice.
  2. Add lettuce, tomatoes, corn, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and avocado on top.
  3. Mix together and enjoy your homemade Chipotle burrito bowl!

10. Copycat McDonald’s Big Mac

Make your own Big Mac at home with this simple recipe that captures all the flavors of the classic burger.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/4 cup diced onions
  • 1/2 cup pickles
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese slices
  • For the special sauce:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, combine all special sauce ingredients and mix well.
  2. Shape the ground beef into 8 thin patties and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Cook patties on a grill or in a skillet for about 3 minutes on each side, adding cheese slices during the last minute to melt.
  4. Toast the hamburger buns lightly. Assemble the burger with two patties on the bottom bun, lettuce, onions, pickles, and special sauce. Top with the middle bun, and repeat for the second layer.
  5. Finish with the top bun and enjoy your homemade Big Mac!

Conclusion

Making copycat versions of our favorite restaurant dishes at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only do these recipes save you money, but they also allow you to control the ingredients and tailor the flavors to your preferences. From crispy chicken sandwiches to creamy soups and flavorful burrito bowls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get creative in the kitchen and bring your favorite meals to your dining table with these must-try recipes!