Description

Crispy Cheddar Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs coated in a crunchy, cheesy cheddar crust. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests, this recipe delivers a golden, crispy texture and rich, melty flavor in under 30 minutes. Customize it with spices, herbs, or cheese variations for a versatile and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Cheese and Breading

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Binding & Seasoning

2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Fat

2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Shred the sharp cheddar cheese. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika thoroughly on all sides.
Set Up Your Breading Station: In one shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In another bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, and an additional sprinkle of seasoning to create an even coating mixture.
Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, making sure it’s well-covered. Then press the chicken firmly into the breadcrumb and cheese mixture, coating evenly on all sides.
Cook to Crispy Perfection: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the coated chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes per side or until the crust is golden and crispy and the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Rest and Serve: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes to lock in the juices before serving, ensuring a tender and juicy bite beneath the crispy cheddar crust.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help the coating stick better and crisp more evenly.
Shred your own cheddar cheese for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded options.
Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan which can cause soggy coating.
Use tongs to gently flip the chicken to keep the coating intact.
Let the chicken rest briefly before serving to keep it juicy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Pan-Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz)
Calories: 400 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 550 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: crispy cheddar chicken, cheesy chicken recipe, crispy chicken, panko chicken, quick chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe