Crispy Cheddar Chicken- Baked!!

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the chicken breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick better. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, you can cut them in half horizontally to create thinner pieces that cook more evenly and quickly.
3. Season the chicken: Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper on both sides. This will add basic seasoning that will complement the crunchy coating.

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

4. Make the breadcrumb mixture: In a shallow dish or bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed.
5. Dredge the chicken: In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk to create an egg wash. Place the flour in a third dish. To coat the chicken, first dredge each piece in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the egg wash, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken.

Step 3: Bake the Chicken

6. Arrange the chicken on the baking sheet: Place the coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the pieces are spaced out evenly to allow air to circulate around them, which helps them get crispy.
7. Brush with melted butter: Lightly brush the top of each chicken breast with the melted butter. This adds richness and helps the breadcrumbs turn golden and crispy as they bake.
8. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the crust is golden and crispy. If the coating starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the chicken loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

9. Serve: Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and ensures that the chicken stays tender and juicy.
10. Garnish (Optional): For a little extra flavor, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or drizzle with a little ranch dressing or dipping sauce of your choice.

Tips for Perfect Crispy Cheddar Chicken

• Use Panko Breadcrumbs: For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are light and airy, which makes the coating crisp up beautifully when baked.
• Thin Chicken Breasts: If you want to speed up the cooking process or ensure even cooking, consider butterflying the chicken breasts (cutting them in half horizontally) or using chicken thighs, which stay juicier and tender.
• Do Not Skip the Flour: Dredging the chicken in flour before the egg wash helps the coating adhere better, ensuring that every bite has a crispy exterior.
• Add Extra Seasoning: Don’t be afraid to play around with seasonings! You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper, paprika, or Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture to add more flavor to the coating.
• Serve with Dipping Sauces: For even more flavor, serve this crispy cheddar chicken with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or even a spicy buffalo sauce.

Why We Love Baked Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Baked crispy cheddar chicken is the perfect balance of crispy, cheesy, and tender. It gives you all the comforting flavors of traditional fried chicken but without the excess oil and frying mess. The cheddar cheese coating adds a rich, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the chicken, while the breadcrumb crust creates the perfect amount of crunch.

This recipe is quick, simple, and easily customizable. It’s great for busy weeknights when you want something comforting yet light, but also special enough for a weekend family dinner. The best part? You can feel good about serving a healthier version of fried chicken that still delivers on flavor and texture.

Whether you’re serving it alongside mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad, this Crispy Cheddar Chicken – Baked is a surefire way to impress your family and friends. Try it today and watch it become your new favorite weeknight dinner!