Description

Crispy Cheddar Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring boneless, skinless chicken breasts stuffed with sharp cheddar cheese, coated in a seasoned Ritz cracker crust, and pan-seared to golden perfection before finishing in the oven. The combination of the savory cheese filling with the crunchy, flavorful crust makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Filling

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Crust

1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Wet Mixture

1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp butter, melted

Main Ingredient

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Additional butter or oil, 1 tsp for searing
Chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place about 30 Ritz crackers into a zip-top bag and crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow dish and mix in garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper evenly.
Prepare Milk Dipping Station: Pour ½ cup of milk into a separate shallow dish to use for dipping the chicken.
Butterfly the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast horizontally almost all the way through so it opens like a book. Pound the chicken gently with a meat mallet to an even thickness between ¼ and ½ inch.
Season and Stuff Chicken: Lightly season all surfaces of the chicken with salt and pepper. Spread shredded cheddar cheese over one half of each butterflied breast and fold the other half over to enclose the cheese. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
Coat the Chicken: Dip each stuffed chicken breast into the milk, letting excess drip off. Press the chicken firmly into the seasoned cracker crumbs, covering all sides completely.
Pan-Sear: Heat 1 teaspoon of butter or oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown to create a crispy exterior.
Bake: Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point.
Rest and Serve: Remove chicken from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let rest for 4 to 5 minutes to retain juices. Remove toothpicks, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve. For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for 1 minute before serving if desired.

Notes

Butterflying and pounding the chicken ensures even cooking and prevents tearing.
Using an instant-read thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked chicken every time.
To keep the cheese pocket sealed during cooking, toothpicks are essential.
Crushing the Ritz crackers finely helps create a better crispy coating.
Resting the chicken after baking locks in juices for a more tender bite.
Optional broiling at the end adds an extra crispy finish to the crust.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crispy Cheddar Chicken, stuffed chicken breast, baked chicken, cheddar crusted chicken, cheesy chicken recipe