Description
Crispy Cheddar Chicken is a delicious baked main course featuring boneless chicken breasts coated with a flavorful mixture of sharp cheddar cheese and buttery cracker crumbs. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a juicy, tender interior with a golden, crispy crust, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 sleeve (about 30) buttery round crackers (like Ritz)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Breading Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Crush Crackers: Using a food processor or placing the crackers in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin, break them into fine crumbs.
- Mix Seasoned Crumbs: In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed crackers with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful coating.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk thoroughly.
- Set Cheese Bowl: Place the shredded sharp cheddar cheese in a third bowl for easy access during breading.
- Flatten Chicken: If necessary, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated, then press into the shredded cheddar cheese so it sticks well, and finally dredge in the seasoned cracker crumb mixture, pressing firmly to adhere.
- Arrange in Dish: Place the coated chicken breasts evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the chicken to enhance browning and crispiness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is golden and crispy.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, place a wire rack inside the baking dish and bake the chicken on top to allow even air circulation around it.
- Mixing a little grated Parmesan cheese into the cheddar cheese adds extra flavor to the crust.
