Description
This Crispy Cheddar Chicken recipe features boneless chicken breasts coated with a cheesy, crunchy Ritz cracker crust. It’s baked until golden and crispy, offering a flavorful and juicy chicken that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Serve it with an optional creamy sauce for extra richness!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 1 cup, crushed)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
For the Optional Cream Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Prepare Coating: In separate shallow bowls, place the milk, cheddar cheese, and crushed Ritz crackers. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the cracker mixture and stir to combine.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the milk, then coat it with cheddar cheese, pressing it into the cheese so it sticks. Next, press the cheese-coated chicken into the cracker mixture, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the coated chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the melted butter over the chicken. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the chicken is crispy on the outside and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).
- Make the Sauce (Optional): While the chicken is baking, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is warm and smooth.
- Serve: Once the chicken is done, serve it with the optional cream sauce for extra richness.
Notes
- The chicken can be served without the sauce for a lighter option or with the sauce for a richer, creamier flavor.
- For a crispier crust, consider pressing the cracker crumbs more firmly onto the chicken before baking.
- If you don’t have Ritz crackers, you can substitute with another buttery cracker or breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with optional sauce
- Calories: 410 kcal (without sauce)
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg