Description
Crispy cheddar chicken brings together golden breaded chicken with sharp cheese for a mouthwatering meal. Home cooks appreciate this simple yet delicious dish that delivers satisfying crunch and rich flavor you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 large chicken breasts
Coating and Seasoning:
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.625 ml) pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried parsley
- 360 g (12.7 ounces) cheddar cheese, grated
Liquid Ingredients:
- 120 ml (4 fluid ounces) milk
- 1 can (285 g / 10 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sour cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
Instructions
- Transform whole chicken breasts into generous, uniform chunks to ensure consistent cooking and optimal coating coverage.
- Pulverize Ritz crackers in a food processor until they reach a fine, even texture that will create a delicate, crisp exterior.
- Establish three distinct dipping stations: one with milk, another with grated cheese, and the third with seasoned cracker crumbs enhanced with salt and pepper for layered flavor complexity.
- Immerse each chicken piece first in milk, then thoroughly coat with cheese by gently pressing to maximize adherence, followed by a complete crumb encrustation, pressing firmly to create a robust, crunchy shell.
- Generously coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray, strategically positioning the prepared chicken pieces. Sprinkle dried parsley across the surface for aromatic visual appeal.
- Envelop the dish with aluminum foil and roast at 200C (400F) for 35 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until edges transform into a golden, crisp masterpiece.
- Craft a luxurious sauce by whisking cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter over medium-high heat until the mixture becomes smooth, hot, and thoroughly integrated.
- Elegantly drizzle the piping hot sauce directly over the crispy chicken or present it alongside as a complementary dipping option.
Notes
- Customize Chicken Thickness Cut chicken breasts uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness throughout each piece.
- Enhance Cracker Coating Add garlic powder or dried herbs to cracker crumbs for extra flavor complexity without overwhelming the primary seasoning.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation Replace Ritz crackers with gluten-free alternatives like crushed cornflakes or almond flour mixed with seasoning for celiac-friendly version.
- Healthier Modification Swap whole milk for low-fat milk and reduce butter quantity in sauce to create a lighter, more nutritionally balanced dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg