Description
Crispy Cheddar Chicken delivers a golden, cheesy masterpiece that makes dinnertime absolutely delightful. Crunchy breadcrumbs and melted cheese create a totally irresistible coating your family will devour in seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 egg, beaten
Cheese and Crackers:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Set your oven to 375°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Crush 1 cup of Ritz crackers into fine crumbs. Mix crackers with ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Crack 1 egg into a separate shallow bowl and beat until smooth.
- Dunk each chicken breast into the beaten egg, ensuring complete coverage. Press the cracker mixture firmly onto the chicken, creating an even coating.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
- Transfer browned chicken to the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese over each chicken breast.
- Slide the baking sheet into the 375°F oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 3 minutes before serving. The cheese should be bubbling and golden on top.
Notes
- Always crush the Ritz crackers finely to ensure a uniform, crispy coating that adheres perfectly to the chicken.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee it’s fully cooked without drying out.
- For a gluten-free version, swap Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.
- Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after baking to help the cheese set and the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg