Golden Cheddar Crispy Chicken Recipe: A Family Favorite

Golden, juicy chicken breasts coated in a magical cheddar chicken recipe crisp become the ultimate comfort meal that stops conversations at the dinner table.

Cheese lovers rally around this straightforward dish that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

The secret lies in a perfectly seasoned breadcrumb mixture that creates an irresistibly crunchy exterior.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch that gives way to tender, succulent meat underneath.

Sharp cheddar adds a bold, tangy dimension that elevates the entire eating experience.

Simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary, making weeknight dinners feel special.

You’ll want to add this crowd-pleasing recipe to your regular rotation and watch everyone ask for seconds.

Tools for Crispy Cheddar Chicken Prep

• Baking Dish (9×13-inch): Essential for roasting the chicken evenly and catching any drips.
• Small Food Processor: Perfect for grinding Ritz crackers into fine, consistent crumbs.
• Shallow Dishes (3): Needed for milk, cheese, and cracker crumb coating steps.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps cover chicken during initial baking to prevent burning.
• Medium Saucepan: Used for preparing the creamy sauce.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp Knife: Required for cutting chicken breasts into chunks.

Step-by-Step: Cooking Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Oven Preparation Kitchen setup to ensure perfect baking conditions. Warm the oven to 400°F and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Chicken Transformation Breaking down protein into manageable pieces. Slice chicken breasts into three generous chunks for even coating and cooking.
• Cracker Coating Station Creating the crunchy exterior. Crush Ritz crackers into fine crumbs and mix with salt and pepper in a shallow dish.
• Cheese and Milk Dip Layering flavors for maximum deliciousness. Gently bathe chicken pieces in milk, then press generously with shredded cheddar cheese.
• Crumb Crusting Final texture enhancement. Roll cheese-covered chicken in cracker crumbs, pressing firmly to create a crispy armor.
• Baking Journey Transforming raw ingredients into a golden masterpiece. Arrange chicken in baking dish, sprinkle with parsley, and cover with foil. Bake for 35 minutes, then uncover and cook an additional 10 minutes until golden and crisp.
• Creamy Companion Sauce Development. Combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter in a saucepan. Heat and whisk until smooth and luxurious.
• Plating Finale Bringing the dish together. Drizzle warm sauce over crispy chicken and serve immediately.

Flavor Boosts & Tips for Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Replace Ritz crackers with panko breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs for a different crispy texture and flavor profile.
• Experiment with different cheese options like parmesan, monterey jack, or pepper jack to create unique taste variations.
• Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or garlic powder to the cracker crumb mixture for an extra kick of flavor and heat.
• Use gluten-free crackers or cornflake crumbs and replace regular milk with almond or lactose-free milk to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Prepare the chicken breading up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, then bake just before serving for a convenient meal prep option.

Ways to Serve Crispy Cheddar Chicken Deliciously

• Pair with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Spoon the crispy cheddar chicken over a bed of buttery, smooth mashed potatoes for a classic comfort food combination that melts in your mouth.
• Create a Veggie Side Kick: Roast some bright green broccoli or tender asparagus alongside the chicken to add a fresh, nutritious element that balances the rich, cheesy coating.
• Dress with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the top just before serving to add a pop of color and a light, garden-fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the dish.
• Serve with Zesty Salad: Toss together a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, crunchy chicken.

Keeping Crispy Cheddar Chicken Fresh After Cooking

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover crispy cheddar chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen chicken maintains quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy coating.
• Prep in Advance: Assemble the coated chicken pieces up to 24 hours before baking. Keep covered and refrigerated until ready to cook. This technique helps develop deeper flavors and saves time during busy weeknights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need to Make Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates the foundation of the dish, select fresh, plump breasts without discoloration or unusual odors.
• Milk: Helps cracker crumbs and cheese adhere to chicken, use whole milk for better coating consistency.

• Ritz Crackers, Cheddar Cheese: Provide delightful crispy texture and rich, savory flavor, crush crackers finely for even coating and choose sharp cheddar for more intense taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance overall seasoning, freshly ground pepper offers more robust flavor profile.

• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates creamy base for sauce, select low-sodium version to control salt levels.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and smoothness to sauce, full-fat version provides better consistency.
• Butter: Enriches sauce and adds silky texture, use unsalted to manage salt content.
• Dried Parsley: Offers subtle herbal garnish and visual appeal, ensures even distribution when sprinkled.

Golden Cheddar Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Home cooks adore this crispy cheddar chicken recipe that combines crackers, cheddar cheese, and tender chicken breasts. Quick preparation and golden-brown results make this dish a family favorite that brings comfort to weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
• 1 (10 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 2 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Ignite the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly mist a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Chicken Preparation: Slice chicken breasts into three robust portions, creating uniform pieces for consistent cooking.
3. Cracker Transformation: Pulverize Ritz crackers into delicate crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin, ensuring a fine, even texture.
4. Coating Station: Establish three distinct zones – milk bath, shredded cheddar cheese layer, and seasoned cracker crumb terrain with salt and black pepper.
5. Cheese Embrace: Immerse each chicken segment first in milk, then press meticulously into cheese, guaranteeing complete coverage and adhesion.
6. Crumb Encrustation: Roll the cheese-coated chicken through seasoned cracker crumbs, applying firm pressure to create a uniform, crisp exterior.
7. Baking Arrangement: Position coated chicken pieces in the prepared dish, garnishing with dried parsley for enhanced visual and flavor dimensions.
8. Initial Baking Phase: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes, allowing thorough internal cooking.
9. Crispy Finale: Remove foil and continue baking for 10 additional minutes until the exterior achieves a golden, crunchy perfection.
10. Sauce Creation: Simultaneously craft the accompanying sauce by combining cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter in a saucepan.
11. Sauce Finalization: Whisk the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a smooth, steaming consistency.
12. Plating: Lavishly drizzle the prepared sauce over the crispy cheddar chicken, creating a sumptuous presentation.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategically: Break down chicken breasts in advance to save time during actual cooking process, ensuring uniform piece sizes for consistent baking.
• Cracker Crushing Technique: Crush Ritz crackers finely and evenly to create a uniform, crispy coating that adheres perfectly to chicken surface.
• Cheese Coating Trick: Press shredded cheddar firmly onto chicken to maximize flavor and create a delicious cheese barrier before cracker layer.
• Sauce Smoothness Secret: Whisk sauce ingredients continuously over medium-high heat to prevent burning and achieve a creamy, lump-free consistency.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg