Description
This irresistible crispy cheddar chicken recipe combines juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a flavorful three-step coating of sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar, and crushed Ritz crackers, baked to golden perfection. Topped with a creamy homemade chicken soup sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite for a comforting and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Crushed Ritz Crackers
- 1/4 cup Melted Butter
Sauce
- 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1/2 cup Milk
- Optional: extra shredded sharp cheddar cheese for sauce
- 2 tablespoons Parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly flatten the chicken breasts with a meat mallet for even cooking. Grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Coating Stations: Set up three shallow bowls: one with sour cream, one with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and one with crushed Ritz crackers to create an organized assembly line for coating the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast first in sour cream, then press into the shredded cheddar cheese, and finally coat thoroughly with crushed Ritz crackers to form a crispy crust.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the coated chicken breasts in the greased baking dish, then drizzle melted butter evenly over the top to promote browning and flavor.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is cooked through and juicy.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine the cream of chicken soup and milk in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and warmed through. Optionally, stir in additional shredded cheddar cheese to enrich the sauce flavor.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy sauce over the baked crispy cheddar chicken and garnish with parsley if desired for a fresh touch. Serve immediately and enjoy a comforting and delicious meal.
Notes
- Flattening the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and more surface area for the crust to adhere.
- For a sharper crust flavor, use sharp cheddar rather than mild or medium cheddar.
- Ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- You can prepare the sauce ahead and reheat when the chicken is done to save time.
- For gluten-free option, substitute Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs.
