Description
Crispy cheesy baked chicken delivers a mouthwatering fusion of golden, crunchy exterior and succulent inner meat. Parmesan-crusted and perfectly seasoned, this dish promises a delightful meal that satisfies both comfort and gourmet cravings when you want something special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and Cheese:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Liquid and Seasoning:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 1 large egg
- Salt, to taste
- Garlic pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 400°F and lightly coating a baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent adherence.
- Create three separate preparation stations: one with whisked egg and milk mixture, another with crushed Ritz crackers, and the final station with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Carefully season chicken breasts with salt and garlic pepper, ensuring even distribution of seasoning across the surface.
- Dunk each chicken piece into the egg mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off before transferring to the cheese station.
- Gently press shredded cheddar onto the moistened chicken, creating a thin cheese layer that will help the cracker coating adhere.
- Roll the cheese-covered chicken in crushed Ritz crackers, pressing firmly to create a complete and even crispy exterior.
- Position the fully coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking pan, maintaining space between each piece for consistent heat circulation.
- Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, monitoring until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and develops a golden, crunchy exterior.
- While chicken bakes, craft a complementary sauce by melting butter and whisking together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once chicken is cooked, plate and drizzle with the creamy sauce or serve it alongside as a dipping option. Optional parsley garnish can add a fresh visual touch.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness during baking.
- Choose thick, uniform chicken breasts for consistent texture and appearance.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help coating adhere better and create extra crispiness.
- Crush Ritz crackers finely but not too fine to maintain a crunchy texture.
- For gluten-free version, swap Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.
- Add extra flavor by mixing dried herbs like thyme or rosemary into the cracker crumb coating.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check chicken’s internal temperature and prevent overcooking.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to help retain moisture and improve overall juiciness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg