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