Amazing Crispy Cheddar Chicken Recipe

The search for a perfect weeknight chicken dish led me to create this Crispy Cheddar Chicken recipe—my go-to meal that’s crunchy, cheesy, and juicy every single time. It’s a comforting delight that’s surprisingly easy to make, perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without the hassle. Once you try this, you’ll never stress over soggy chicken again.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Cheddar Chicken Recipe

• Kid-friendly and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that the whole family will enjoy.
• Quick enough for busy weeknights without compromising on flavor or texture.
• Uses simple pantry staples, so you don’t need special trips to the store.
• Our method ensures an actually crispy crust—no more soggy chicken nightmares.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These are simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together for amazing flavor and texture.

For the Crispy Chicken

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken tenders or breasts
• 2 sleeves crackers, such as Ritz
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 eggs, beaten

For the Creamy Sauce

• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• Milk, as needed

Ingredient Spotlight: Choosing the Best Cheese and Crackers

Freshly grating sharp cheddar cheese from a block melts better than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents that affect texture and flavor. While Ritz crackers are classic for this recipe, feel free to swap in panko for extra crunch or cornflakes for a unique twist on texture.

Recommended Equipment

To get this recipe just right, you’ll need a few key tools:

• A food processor to blend crackers and cheese into perfect fine crumbs.
• Shallow bowls or pie plates for creating an efficient dredging station.
• A half-sheet pan with an oven-safe wire rack to bake the chicken evenly and crisply.

These make the process smoother and guarantee a better final texture.

How to Make Crispy Cheddar Chicken (Step-by-Step)

1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Removing moisture is the key to crispiness.
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
3. If using chicken breasts, cut each into 2 or 3 large pieces.
4. In a food processor, pulse crackers, cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley until fine crumbs form.
5. Whisk eggs and milk together in a shallow bowl. Place the cracker mixture in a separate shallow bowl.
6. Dredge chicken in the egg mixture, then press firmly into the cracker mixture, ensuring crumbs adhere well.
7. Arrange coated chicken pieces in a single layer on the wire rack set inside your greased baking sheet. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
8. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). No need to flip.
9. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: stir together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and vegetable shortening in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add milk by tablespoonfuls to reach your desired consistency.
10. Serve the creamy sauce over the crispy chicken and enjoy!

The Secret to Actually Crispy Chicken (Our Foolproof Method)

1. Start with Dry Chicken

Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Patting the chicken tenders completely dry with paper towels is the very first step you must never skip. This step ensures the crumb coating sticks and crisps up perfectly in the oven.

2. Use a Wire Rack

Baking chicken on an oven-safe wire rack set inside a baking sheet allows hot air to surround the chicken pieces. This circulation cooks the bottom evenly and crisps it to perfection rather than steaming it like a flat baking dish would.

3. Never, Ever Cover with Foil

Contrary to other recipes, covering the chicken with foil traps steam and ruins the crisp coating. Baking uncovered is the most crucial step for maintaining that irresistible crunchy crust.

A Better-Than-Canned Creamy Cheddar Sauce

For those who want a fresher sauce, try this simple cheddar sauce upgrade: melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in 2 tablespoons flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk until thickened. Stir in 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This homemade sauce adds richness without processed ingredients.

Variations and Substitutions

What to Serve with Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Complete your meal with these tasty sides:

• Garlic Roasted Broccoli for a healthy, flavorful roasted vegetable.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes to soak up every bit of sauce.
• A fresh Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette to add brightness and balance.

If you fancy, you can link these sides with other favorite recipes on your site for easy meal planning.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back crispiness, warm chicken in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes until hot and crunchy again. Avoid the microwave as it makes the coating soggy.

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Tender chicken coated in Ritz-cracker and cheddar crumbs, oven-baked until crispy and served with a rich, creamy sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 590

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 2 lb boneless skinless chicken tenders or breasts Cut into 2–3 large pieces if using breasts.
• 2 sleeves crackers Such as Ritz.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese Grated.
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons milk For egg wash.
• 2 eggs Beaten.

Sauce

• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• as needed milk Add to reach desired sauce consistency.

Equipment

• Oven
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Food processor
• Shallow bowls
• Whisk
• Aluminum foil
• Medium saucepan
• Knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. If using chicken breasts, cut each into 2–3 large pieces.
3. In a food processor, pulse crackers, cheddar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley into fine crumbs.
4. Whisk eggs and 2 tablespoons milk in a shallow bowl; place crumb mixture in a separate shallow bowl.
5. Dredge chicken in the egg wash, then press into the crumb mixture to coat all sides.
6. Arrange chicken in the prepared dish and lightly spray tops with cooking spray. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; remove foil and bake 10 minutes more until golden and crispy (165°F internal).
7. For the sauce, heat soup, sour cream, and shortening in a medium saucepan over medium-high, stirring until smooth; add milk by the tablespoon to thin to desired consistency.
8. Serve the warm sauce over the crispy chicken and enjoy.

Notes

– For extra crunch, pulse crumbs to fine-sandy and press firmly onto chicken; you can also toast the crumb mixture briefly in a skillet before dredging. – No food processor? Crush crackers in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin and stir in the seasonings and cheese. – Bake on a wire rack set over the pan to keep bottoms crisp. – Chicken is done at an internal temperature of 165°F; avoid overbaking. – Sauce thickness is adjustable with milk; swap butter for shortening if preferred. – Leftovers reheat best in a 350°F oven or air fryer to re-crisp; store sauce separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

I’m so excited to share this easy, delicious Crispy Cheddar Chicken recipe with you. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want comforting food without complicated steps. Try it out, and please drop a comment with your results or any fun variations you created. Don’t forget to rate the recipe—I love hearing your kitchen wins!