Description
Crispy Cheddar Chicken is a deliciously cheesy, flavorful baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a creamy sour cream mixture, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy buttery cracker crumbs. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Garnish
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Sour Cream Coating: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend the flavors evenly.
- Setup Coating Stations: Place crushed buttery crackers in one shallow dish and the shredded sharp cheddar cheese in another separate shallow dish for easy breading.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the sour cream mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Then press the chicken into the shredded cheddar cheese so it sticks, followed by pressing it into the crushed crackers to create a crunchy outer layer.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place each fully coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly.
- Apply Butter and Bake: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the coated chicken breasts to help create a golden, crispy top. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is crispy and golden brown.
- Optional Broil: For extra crispiness, place the chicken under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve the crispy cheddar chicken warm with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes or green beans.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for the last 2–3 minutes after baking.
- Thin chicken cutlets or halved breasts work well for quicker cooking times.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
