Description
This Crispy Cheddar Chicken Bake features tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful blend of flour, Italian seasonings, and garlic, then dipped in egg and crusted with a crunchy mixture of cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, and Rice Krispies cereal. Baked to golden perfection in melted butter, this dish offers a deliciously crispy exterior and juicy interior, making it an easy and comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Butter
- 1/4 cup butter
Chicken
- 6 chicken pieces (such as thighs or drumsticks)
Flour Mixture
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings (or your favorite seasoning blend)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
Crispy Coating
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Prepare the Butter in Baking Dish: Place 1/4 cup of butter at the bottom of a large baking dish (approximately 9″ x 13″) and place the dish in the oven to start melting the butter.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Keep the baking dish with butter in the oven until the butter is fully melted, then carefully remove it from the oven.
- Prepare the Coatings: Set up three shallow dishes for breading. In the first dish, combine the flour, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In the second dish, lightly beat the egg. In the third dish, mix the breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, and Rice Krispies cereal.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken first in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it’s well coated. Next, dip it into the beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb-cheese-cereal mixture.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place each coated chicken piece into the baking dish with the melted butter, spacing them evenly to ensure crispiness.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC), and is no longer pink inside. The crust should be golden and crispy.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken pieces such as thighs or drumsticks for best flavor and juiciness.
- Ensure the butter is melted but not burnt before adding the chicken to prevent bitterness.
- For extra crispiness, gently press the cereal and cheese mixture onto the chicken pieces to help it adhere better.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked.
- Substitute Rice Krispies with crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs if unavailable.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated for best taste.