Irresistibly Crispy Cheddar Chicken Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Crispy cheddar chicken converts ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering masterpiece that elevates home cooking from mundane to magnificent.

Crusty golden exteriors promise incredible flavor and satisfying texture that melts in your mouth.

Cheese lovers recognize this dish as a true culinary celebration of comfort and indulgence.

Perfectly seasoned breading creates a delightful crunch that complements the tender meat underneath.

Rich, savory notes dance across your palate with each carefully prepared bite.

The recipe balances simplicity and gourmet appeal, making it accessible for both novice and experienced cooks.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this meal guarantees smiles and satisfied appetites around the dinner table.

What’s Special About Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Capture Irresistible Crunch: Ritz cracker coating delivers an incredible crispy exterior that crackles with every bite, transforming ordinary chicken into a texture-packed delight.
• Cheese-Lover's Dream: The generous cheddar cheese layer adds rich, melty goodness that creates a mouthwatering golden crust and infuses deep flavor into each chicken piece.
• Foolproof Family Favorite: With simple dipping steps and minimal prep, this recipe guarantees a stress-free cooking experience that produces restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Creamy Comfort Sauce: The velvety cream of chicken and sour cream sauce provides a luxurious finishing touch, elevating the dish from good to absolutely irresistible with its smooth, comforting embrace.

Crispy Cheddar Chicken Ingredient List

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and juicy main protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and uniform in size.

• Ritz Crackers, Cheddar Cheese: Provide a crispy, flavorful exterior with rich cheesy crunch, crackers work best when finely ground.
• Milk: Helps cheese and cracker crumbs adhere to chicken, whole milk recommended for better coating.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall flavor profile of the chicken.

• Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream, Butter: Create a creamy, rich sauce with tangy and smooth texture, butter adds richness and helps blend ingredients.

• Dried Parsley: Adds visual appeal and subtle herbal note to the finished dish.

Cooking Instructions for Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Cut each chicken breast into 3 large chunks for even cooking.

Step 3: Create Cracker Crumbs

Use a small food processor to grind Ritz crackers into fine crumbs.

Step 4: Set Up Coating Stations

• Milk
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cracker crumbs

Mix salt and pepper into the cracker crumb mixture.

Step 5: Coat the Chicken

Dip each chicken piece through the coating stations:

• Milk bath
• Press cheese onto the chicken
• Roll in seasoned cracker crumbs, pressing to ensure a thick coating

Step 6: Arrange and Season

Place coated chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with dried parsley.

Step 7: Bake the Chicken

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes until chicken is golden brown and crispy.

Step 8: Prepare Creamy Sauce

• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Butter

Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, whisking until hot and smooth.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Pour the creamy sauce over the baked crispy cheddar chicken. Serve immediately.

Tips for Crispy Cheddar Chicken Success

• Press Cheese Firmly: Ensure maximum cheese coverage by pressing the shredded cheddar onto the chicken with gentle pressure, creating a thick, even layer that melts beautifully during baking.
• Crush Crackers Finely: Grind Ritz crackers to a consistent, fine texture for the most uniform and crispy coating that adheres perfectly to the chicken.
• Pat Chicken Dry: Remove excess moisture from chicken before coating to help the milk, cheese, and cracker crumbs stick more effectively and create a crispier exterior.
• Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to verify chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption while maintaining juicy, tender meat.
• Let Sauce Simmer Gently: Heat the cream sauce slowly and whisk consistently to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency that complements the crispy chicken.

Storing and Reheating Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover Crispy Cheddar Chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store the chicken and sauce separately to maintain the crispy texture. Refrigerated leftovers will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
• Reheat individual pieces in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, which can make the coating soggy. Drizzle a little extra sauce over the chicken before reheating to keep it moist.
• Freeze cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Enjoy the same delicious flavor and crunch as the day you made it.

Serving Ideas for Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the rich, cheesy coating, balancing the creamy texture of the chicken with its bright, acidic notes.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Vegetable Medley: Colorful roasted asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers complement the crispy chicken's golden crust, adding nutrition and vibrant flavors to the plate.
• Match with Tangy Coleslaw: A light, vinegar-based coleslaw provides a refreshing crunch that contrasts the warm, cheesy chicken, creating a perfect balance of textures and taste sensations.
• Recommend Sparkling Lemonade: A zesty, cold sparkling lemonade offers a citrusy kick that helps cut through the richness of the cheese and cream sauce, cleansing the palate between bites.

Tasty Twists on Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Herb-Infused Crunch: Replace Ritz crackers with seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano for an aromatic herbal coating.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Add chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to the cracker crumbs, then top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Parmesan Garlic Upgrade: Swap cheddar for grated parmesan cheese and mix minced garlic into the cracker crumb mixture for an intense flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Use panko breadcrumbs, sprinkle with za'atar seasoning, and serve with a side of tzatziki sauce for a Middle Eastern-inspired version.

Crispy Cheddar Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Cheddar Chicken delivers golden-crusted perfection with tender chicken enveloped in a cheesy, crunchy coating. Melted cheddar and crisp breadcrumbs create an irresistible dinner that will become a family favorite right from the first delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt

Sauce and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 (10 ounces) can cream of chicken soup
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons butter

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (200°C) and applying a light coat of cooking spray to a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish.
2. Transform each chicken breast into three substantial chunks using a sharp knife.
3. Pulverize the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin.
4. Arrange three shallow dishes: one with milk, another with shredded cheddar cheese, and the third with cracker crumbs seasoned with salt and black pepper.
5. Develop a coating technique by first submerging each chicken piece in milk, then pressing it into the cheese layer, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Complete the coating process by rolling the cheesy chicken in the seasoned cracker crumbs, pressing firmly to create an even, crisp exterior.
7. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with dried parsley for additional flavor and visual appeal.
8. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes to ensure thorough cooking.
9. Uncover the chicken and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the exterior transforms into a golden, crispy texture.
10. Simultaneously prepare the accompanying sauce by combining cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter in a saucepan.
11. Heat the sauce over medium-high temperature, whisking continuously until it reaches a smooth, hot consistency.
12. Present the crispy cheddar chicken by generously drizzling the prepared sauce over the baked pieces.

Notes

• Prep Ahead: Crush Ritz crackers in advance and store in an airtight container to save time during meal preparation.
• Cheese Coating Tip: Press shredded cheddar firmly onto chicken to ensure a thick, delicious layer that melts perfectly during baking.
• Crumb Technique: Use gentle pressure when coating chicken with cracker crumbs to create an extra crispy, golden exterior.
• Foil Strategy: Covering the dish initially helps keep the chicken moist, while uncovering allows for that irresistible crispy texture.
• Sauce Shortcut: Can swap homemade sauce with store-bought cream of chicken soup for a quicker weeknight meal.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair with roasted vegetables or a light salad to balance the rich, crispy chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg