Description
Indulge in the comfort of a homemade meal with this Cheesy Baked Chicken Delight. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, this recipe combines tender chicken with a crispy, cheesy crust and a creamy, savory sauce. The cheddar cheese and breadcrumb coating provides a delightful crunch that complements the softness of the baked chicken, making every bite a blend of flavors and textures that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken fillets, trimmed of excess fat
- 3 cups Ritz splitter crumbs or panko breadcrumbs (about 2 sleeves of Ritz splitters, or similar)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Sauce:
- 14 oz cream of chicken soup
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter
Step-by-step Directions
1. Preparing the Chicken
Cut each chicken fillet into 3 large chunks or strips. Soak the chicken strips in a bowl of milk or buttermilk for 20-30 minutes or preferably overnight. This step ensures that the chicken remains moist after baking.
2. Coating the Chicken
Prepare two separate shallow dishes. In one, place the grated cheddar cheese. In the other, mix the Ritz splitter crumbs or panko with salt and pepper. Remove each chicken piece from the milk, press thoroughly into the cheese, and then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor and crispiness.
3. Baking the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray and lay the coated chicken pieces in the pan. Sprinkle the dried parsley over the chicken, cover the pan with aluminum foil, and bake at 400°F for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
4. Preparing the Sauce
While the chicken bakes, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and the sauce is heated through.
5. Serving
Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove it from the oven and serve it drizzled with the prepared sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.
Servings & Preparation Time
- Servings: 4
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: approx. 1 hour
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until hot, which will help maintain the crispiness. Alternatively, microwave for 2-3 minutes, but this may soften the crust.
Conclusion
The Cheesy Baked Chicken Delight is a heartwarming dish that combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying meal. With its crispy exterior and tender interior, it’s a wonderful balance that’s ideal for any dinner occasion. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
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Cheesy Baked Chicken Delight
- Total Time: approx. 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the comfort of a homemade meal with this Cheesy Baked Chicken Delight. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, this recipe combines tender chicken with a crispy, cheesy crust and a creamy, savory sauce. The cheddar cheese and breadcrumb coating provides a delightful crunch that complements the softness of the baked chicken, making every bite a blend of flavors and textures that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken fillets, trimmed of excess fat
- 3 cups Ritz splitter crumbs or panko breadcrumbs (about 2 sleeves of Ritz splitters, or similar)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Sauce:
- 14 oz cream of chicken soup
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- 1. Preparing the Chicken Cut each chicken fillet into 3 large chunks or strips. Soak the chicken strips in a bowl of milk or buttermilk for 20-30 minutes or preferably overnight. This step ensures that the chicken remains moist after baking.
- 2. Coating the Chicken Prepare two separate shallow dishes. In one, place the grated cheddar cheese. In the other, mix the Ritz splitter crumbs or panko with salt and pepper. Remove each chicken piece from the milk, press thoroughly into the cheese, and then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor and crispiness.
- 3. Baking the Chicken Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray and lay the coated chicken pieces in the pan. Sprinkle the dried parsley over the chicken, cover the pan with aluminum foil, and bake at 400°F for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
- 4. Preparing the Sauce While the chicken bakes, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and the sauce is heated through.
- 5. Serving Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove it from the oven and serve it drizzled with the prepared sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes