Crispy Cheddar Chicken Recipe

Crispy Cheddar Chicken is a delicious, savory dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a crispy, cheesy coating, creating the perfect balance of textures and flavors. It’s comfort food at its best, offering a delightful crunch on the outside while keeping the chicken moist and juicy inside. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and an ideal option for family dinners, gatherings, or even meal prep.

In this 4000-word recipe, we’ll guide you through every step in making Crispy Cheddar Chicken, from the ingredients to the techniques for getting the crispiest coating and the perfect flavor. We’ll also discuss some helpful tips, variations, and even some side dishes that pair beautifully with the chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
2. Pound the Chicken Breasts: Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken until it is an even thickness, about ½ inch thick. This ensures even cooking and prevents the chicken from drying out.
3. Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. The seasoning enhances the flavor of the chicken and complements the cheesy coating.

Step 2: Set Up the Coating Station

1. Crush the Ritz Crackers: In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the remaining garlic powder and onion powder. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings. The Ritz crackers provide a buttery, crispy texture that will bake into a golden crust.
2. Cheddar Cheese Bowl: In another shallow bowl, place the shredded cheddar cheese. Be sure the cheese is evenly shredded to avoid clumps.
3. Egg Mixture: In a third shallow bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. This will act as the binding agent for the cheese and cracker coating.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

1. Dip in Egg Mixture: Using tongs, dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated on all sides. Let any excess egg mixture drip off before proceeding to the next step.
2. Cheddar Cheese Layer: Press the egg-coated chicken into the bowl of shredded cheddar cheese, pressing firmly to ensure the cheese sticks to both sides of the chicken.
3. Cracker Coating: Next, place the cheese-coated chicken into the bowl of crushed Ritz crackers. Press the chicken firmly into the crackers, making sure it’s evenly coated and covered in the buttery crumbs.
4. Repeat for all chicken breasts and set them aside.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

1. Place in the Baking Dish: Arrange the coated chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Make sure there is space between each piece to allow for even browning.
2. Cover with Foil (optional): For the first part of baking, you can loosely cover the chicken with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from burning.
3. Bake: Bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). If you want the top to be extra crispy, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Step 5: Prepare the Creamy Sauce

1. Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the Soup and Sour Cream: Once the butter has melted, whisk in the cream of chicken soup and sour cream until smooth and combined. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
3. Add Seasoning: Season the sauce with a pinch of salt and pepper, or more to taste.
4. Simmer: Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
5. Remove from Heat: Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and set aside. You can spoon this sauce over the baked chicken just before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Crispy Cheddar Chicken

1. Cheese Selection: Opt for freshly shredded cheddar cheese rather than pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of your chicken coating.
2. Don’t Skip the Egg Wash: The egg mixture is key to helping the cheese and cracker crumbs adhere to the chicken. Without it, the coating may fall off during baking.
3. Cover for Moistness, Uncover for Crispiness: Baking the chicken covered for the first half of the cook time locks in moisture, while removing the foil at the end ensures a crispy, golden crust.
4. Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
5. Let It Rest: After baking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken even juicier.

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy Cheddar Chicken: Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the Ritz cracker mixture for a bit of heat.
2. Herb-Crusted Chicken: Mix fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley into the cracker crumbs for a more aromatic flavor.
3. Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or gluten-free crackers to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
4. Cheesy Ranch Chicken: Add 1 tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning to the cracker crumbs for a zesty ranch flavor.

Side Dishes That Complement Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Mashed Potatoes: A creamy mashed potato pairs perfectly with the crispy chicken and creamy sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts offer a healthy balance to this rich dish.
• Caesar Salad: A light, crisp Caesar salad with a tangy dressing helps cut through the richness of the chicken.
• Mac and Cheese: For an indulgent side, serve the chicken with a small portion of homemade mac and cheese.
• Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn is a great complement to the savory, cheesy flavors of the chicken.
  Yield: 4

  Crispy Cheddar Chicken Recipe

  

  Print

  Crispy Cheddar Chicken is a delicious, savory dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a crispy, cheesy coating, creating the perfect balance of textures and flavors. It’s comfort food at its best, offering a delightful crunch on the outside while keeping the chicken moist and juicy inside. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and an ideal option for family dinners, gatherings, or even meal prep.

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  Prep Time 20 minutes

  Cook Time 40 minutes

  Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
  • ¼ cup melted butter (optional for extra crispiness)
  • Chopped parsley (for garnish, optional)

  Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the Oven
     Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
     
  2. Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
     Pound the Chicken: If your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness of about ½ inch for more even cooking.
     Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
     
  3. Step 3: Create the Coatings
     Cheddar Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix the shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and Dijon mustard (if using).
     Cracker Coating: In another bowl, place the crushed Ritz crackers.
     
  4. Step 4: Coat the Chicken
     Coat with Cheese Mixture: Take each chicken breast and generously coat it in the cheddar cheese mixture.
     Coat with Crackers: Press the chicken into the crushed crackers, making sure the cracker crumbs stick to the cheese coating on all sides. You may need to press the crumbs firmly to adhere them.
     
  5. Step 5: Bake the Chicken
     Place in Baking Dish: Arrange the coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
     Drizzle with Butter: For extra crispiness, you can drizzle the melted butter over the top of the chicken (optional).
     Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
     
  6. Step 6: Serve
     Garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish (optional).
     Serve: Serve the crispy cheddar chicken with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.

  Notes

  • Make-Ahead: You can prep the chicken with the cheese and cracker coating ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to a few hours before baking.
  • Storage: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to retain the crispiness.
  • Substitution Ideas: You can use crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs in place of Ritz crackers for a different crunch.