Description
Deliciously crispy cereal-crusted chicken that offers a crunchy, flavorful alternative to traditional breaded chicken. Perfect for a quick and easy meal, this recipe uses crushed cereal for a unique crust and can be baked or air fried to a golden perfection.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
Coating
- 4 cups cereal (e.g., cornflakes, crispy rice, or Chex), crushed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Others
- Cooking spray or oil (for baking or air frying)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven or Air Fryer: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), or preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and lightly greasing it with cooking spray or oil.
- Prepare Coating Stations: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoned flour mixture.
- Mix Egg Wash: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until fully combined to create an egg wash.
- Prepare Cereal Crust: Place the crushed cereal into a third bowl for the final coating layer.
- Cut the Chicken: If using whole chicken breasts, cut them into strips or nugget-sized pieces for even cooking and easy coating.
- Coat with Flour: Dredge each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure to coat evenly on all sides.
- Dip in Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured chicken pieces into the egg wash, ensuring a thorough coating that helps the cereal stick.
- Coat with Cereal: Finally, press each piece firmly into the crushed cereal bowl so the cereal adheres well, covering all sides for maximum crunch.
- Arrange and Spray: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or oil to encourage browning and crispiness.
- Cook: For baking, cook in the oven for 20–25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through to ensure even browning. For air frying, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping once midway. Cook until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Let the chicken cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces for a tasty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can use various types of cereal such as cornflakes, crispy rice, or Chex depending on your flavor preference.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Lightly spraying the chicken with oil helps achieve a crispier crust when baking or air frying.
- For an extra spicy twist, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoned flour.
- Cutting chicken into uniform sizes ensures even cooking and consistent crispness.