Description
Homemade cheesy baked chicken delight merges rich Italian herbs with golden crispy breadcrumbs. Melted cheese and tender chicken create pure comfort for hungry families seeking delicious weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken fillets (boneless, skinless, trimmed of excess fat)
- 3 cups Ritz splitter crumbs or panko breadcrumbs (2 sleeves)
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 14 oz (397 g) cream of chicken soup
- 2 tbsps sour cream
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice chicken fillets into uniform strips, creating consistent pieces for even cooking and appealing presentation.
- Marination: Submerge chicken in milk or buttermilk for 20-30 minutes, allowing the meat to tenderize and absorb moisture.
- Coating Setup: Create two shallow dishes – one with grated cheddar cheese, another mixing crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs with salt and pepper.
- Cheese Encrusting: Remove chicken from milk, meticulously press each strip into grated cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Breadcrumb Layering: Thoroughly coat cheese-covered chicken in seasoned breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to develop a robust, crispy exterior.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), spray 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Initial Baking: Arrange coated chicken pieces in dish, sprinkle dried parsley across surface, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 35 minutes.
- Final Browning: Remove foil, continue baking for 10 minutes until golden brown and crisp, achieving an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Sauce Creation: Simultaneously prepare sauce by combining cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until smooth and heated.
- Serving: Plate chicken, drizzle with prepared sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley for a final touch of color and aromatic enhancement.
Notes
- Milk Marination Magic: Soaking chicken in milk or buttermilk for 20-30 minutes (or overnight) guarantees incredibly tender, juicy meat with enhanced flavor absorption.
- Cheese Coating Technique: Press grated cheese directly onto chicken strips before breadcrumb coating to create a rich, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
- Precise Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F (74°C), preventing dryness while guaranteeing food safety.
- Sauce Stirring Strategy: Continuously stir sauce ingredients over medium-high heat to achieve a smooth, perfectly blended consistency without burning or separating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg