Description
Succulent chicken breasts dripping with crispy cheddar chicken goodness promise a delightful dinner experience. Cheesy, golden-brown coating and tender meat make this simple yet satisfying recipe a perfect weeknight comfort meal for families craving something special.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved if large)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 2 tablespoons milk
Seasoning and Coating:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (crushed, about 1 ½ cups)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted, for drizzling)
Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
Instructions
- Prepare a flavorful coating by whisking sour cream with aromatic garlic and onion powders, seasoned with salt and black pepper in a shallow mixing vessel.
- Thoroughly dredge each chicken breast in the creamy mixture, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Create a crisp exterior by crushing Ritz crackers into fine, textured crumbs and combining them with sharp shredded cheddar cheese and smoky paprika.
- Carefully press each sour cream-coated chicken piece into the cracker-cheese mixture, guaranteeing a thorough and even crust formation.
- Arrange the prepared chicken pieces in a generously greased baking dish, positioning them to allow even heat circulation.
- Enhance the potential for golden crispiness by drizzling melted butter across the top of the chicken breasts.
- Transfer the baking dish to a preheated oven set at 400F (200C) and roast for approximately 25-30 minutes until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F.
- For those desiring an additional layer of richness, prepare a complementary sauce by gently warming cream of chicken soup with sour cream and milk in a saucepan, stirring until smooth and heated through.
- Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest briefly before serving, optionally drizzling the creamy sauce over the top for added indulgence.
Notes
- Select chicken breasts of similar thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry before coating to help the sour cream and cracker mixture adhere better and create a crispier crust.
- For gluten-free option, replace Ritz crackers with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour for the same crunchy texture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Parmesan or Swiss to add unique flavor profiles and maintain the crispy coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 150mg