Description
Cheesy Baked Chicken Delight brings Italian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables with golden-crusted chicken smothered in rich, melted cheese. Juicy chicken breasts paired with crispy herb-seasoned coating create a perfect meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds in one simple, irresistible dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken fillets, trimmed of excess fat
Dry Coating Ingredients:
- 3 cups Ritz splitter crumbs or panko breadcrumbs (about 2 sleeves of Ritz splitters, or similar)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Liquid and Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 14 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Slice each chicken fillet into 3 generous strips, creating uniform pieces for consistent cooking and presentation.
- Immerse chicken strips in milk or buttermilk for 20-30 minutes (or ideally overnight), which tenderizes the meat and enhances moisture retention.
- Create two separate shallow dishes: one containing freshly grated cheddar cheese, and another mixing crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs with salt and pepper.
- Extract chicken pieces from milk, meticulously pressing each strip into the grated cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Thoroughly coat cheese-covered chicken in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to achieve a robust, crispy exterior.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Arrange coated chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish, maintaining slight separation between strips.
- Sprinkle dried parsley evenly across the chicken surface for additional flavor and visual appeal.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, protecting the chicken from excessive browning.
- Bake covered for 35 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Simultaneously, prepare the sauce by combining cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir sauce ingredients continuously until fully integrated and heated throughout, creating a smooth, rich consistency.
- Once chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), remove from oven.
- Plate the chicken and generously drizzle with prepared sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a final touch of color and aromatic flavor.
Notes
- Milk Soak Magic: Soaking chicken in milk or buttermilk for 20-30 minutes tenderizes the meat, creating incredibly juicy and flavorful bites that melt in your mouth.
- Cheese Coating Trick: Press chicken directly into grated cheddar before breadcrumbs to create an extra cheesy, crispy exterior that adds irresistible texture and rich flavor.
- Foil Technique: Covering the baking dish with aluminum foil during initial baking helps retain moisture, preventing the chicken from drying out and ensuring a succulent result.
- Temperature Precision: Baking at 375°F and then increasing to 400°F guarantees perfectly cooked chicken with a golden, crispy exterior and tender interior.
- Sauce Perfection: The creamy sauce made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter adds a luxurious, velvety finish that elevates the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Chicken can be prepared and soaked overnight, making this recipe ideal for busy cooks looking to save time without compromising on deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 456 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 790 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg