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Crispy Cheddar Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 53 reviews
  • Author: Marina
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Crispy Cheddar Chicken is a deliciously golden and crunchy stuffed chicken dish featuring boneless, skinless chicken breasts filled with sharp cheddar cheese, coated in a seasoned Ritz cracker crumb crust, and finished with a perfect combination of pan-searing and oven baking for a juicy, flavorful result.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Coating

  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted (plus 1 tsp for searing)

Chicken Filling

  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Crumbs: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place about 30 Ritz crackers into a zip-top bag and crush them finely using a rolling pin. Transfer the crushed crackers into a shallow dish and mix in the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly combined. Set aside a separate shallow dish with ½ cup of milk for dipping.
  2. Prepare Chicken Breasts: Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally nearly all the way through so it opens like a book. Pound the breasts gently with a meat mallet to an even thickness between ¼ and ½ inch. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Stuff Chicken: Lay shredded sharp cheddar cheese on one half of each butterflied breast. Fold the other half over to enclose the cheese, creating a pocket. Secure the edges with toothpicks if needed to keep the cheese inside during cooking.
  4. Coat Chicken: Dip each stuffed chicken breast into the milk, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into the seasoned cracker crumbs to coat thoroughly on all sides.
  5. Pan-Sear Chicken: Heat 1 teaspoon of butter or oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the coated chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown, forming a crispy crust.
  6. Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 12-15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F (74°C).
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let it rest for 4-5 minutes to retain juiciness. Remove toothpicks before serving. For extra crispiness, briefly place the chicken under the broiler for one minute just before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy.

Notes

  • Be sure not to overstuff with cheese to prevent leakage during cooking.
  • Using a meat mallet helps ensure even cooking by flattening the chicken breasts uniformly.
  • For a variation, you can add herbs like thyme or rosemary to the cracker coating for extra flavor.
  • Make sure to remove toothpicks before serving to avoid injury.
  • Use an oven-safe skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven without transferring food.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crispy Cheddar Chicken, stuffed chicken breast, baked chicken, Ritz cracker crust, cheddar cheese chicken

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Find it online: https://marinamontclair.com/crispy-cheddar-chicken-recipe/