Cheez It Chicken Breast Recipe for Crispy, Flavorful Meals

Welcome to one of the most irresistibly crunchy and flavorful chicken recipes you’ll ever try — the Cheez It Chicken Breast! This dish combines the savory goodness of tender chicken breasts with the iconic sharpness and crispiness of Cheez Its crackers for an unforgettable meal experience.

Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or looking to impress guests with a simple yet delicious dish, this recipe delivers on taste, texture, and ease.

Using crushed Cheez Its as a coating creates a golden crust that locks in moisture, keeping the chicken juicy and flavorful inside. You don’t have to be a professional chef to master this recipe, and best of all, it requires just a handful of pantry staples and minimal preparation time.

Get ready to savor a comfort food classic with a twist that’s sure to become a family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Cheez It Chicken Breast recipe is a crowd-pleaser for several reasons. First, the crunchy Cheez It coating offers a unique flavor that’s both cheesy and slightly salty, elevating simple chicken breasts into something extraordinary.

The crust is perfectly crispy without being greasy, making it a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken.

Additionally, this recipe is incredibly versatile. It can be baked or pan-fried, and it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides from fresh salads to creamy mashed potatoes.

It’s also quick to prepare, requiring just about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.

Finally, this recipe is kid-friendly and perfect for picky eaters who love cheesy snacks. The familiar flavor of Cheez Its will have even the little ones asking for seconds!

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
• 2 cups Cheez It crackers, crushed finely
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (for baking or frying)

Equipment

• Baking sheet (if baking)
• Wire rack (optional for baking)
• Mixing bowls
• Food processor or plastic bag with rolling pin (for crushing crackers)
• Meat mallet or rolling pin (for flattening chicken breasts)
• Whisk or fork
• Frying pan (if pan-frying)
• Tongs or spatula

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top for extra crispiness.
2. Prepare the chicken breasts: Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
3. Crush the Cheez It crackers: Place the crackers in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Alternatively, place them in a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl.
4. Mix the coating: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the crushed crackers. Stir to combine evenly.
5. Prepare the egg wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth.
6. Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the egg wash, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then press it firmly into the Cheez It mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet or plate.
7. Cook the chicken:
   • For baking: Drizzle or brush the olive oil or melted butter over the chicken breasts. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is crisp and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
   • For pan-frying: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
8. Rest and serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender.

Tips & Variations

For an extra cheesy kick, add shredded cheddar or mozzarella to the Cheez It coating mix.

• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the coating for a subtle heat.
• Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free cheese crackers or substitute with crushed pork rinds.
• Use chicken tenders: For a quicker cook time and bite-sized pieces, try this recipe with chicken tenders instead of breasts.
• Oven air-fryer: This recipe works wonderfully in an air fryer at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes.
• Make ahead: Coat the chicken and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before cooking to deepen the flavors.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This Cheez It Chicken Breast pairs exquisitely with a range of side dishes. For a light and refreshing balance, serve it alongside a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette.

Roasted vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, or carrots complement the cheesy crunch beautifully.

If you’re in the mood for something heartier, creamy mashed potatoes or garlic butter pasta work wonderfully to soak up any juices. For a fun twist, serve the chicken with a side of mac and cheese or baked sweet potato fries for a comforting meal.

Conclusion

Whether you’re craving something crunchy, cheesy, or simply delicious, this Cheez It Chicken Breast recipe delivers in every way. It’s easy to prepare, full of flavor, and perfect for many occasions — from family dinners to casual get-togethers.

The combination of juicy chicken and the crispy, cheesy crust is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

Give this recipe a try and watch how quickly it disappears from the plate! For more savory dishes that bring bold flavors and simple techniques to your kitchen, check out our other recipes like Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken, Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries, and Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry.

Happy cooking!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Cheez It Chicken Breast”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A crispy and cheesy chicken breast coated with crushed Cheez-It crackers for a flavorful crunch. Perfect for a quick and tasty dinner.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts”, “2 cups crushed Cheez-It crackers”, “1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese”, “1 teaspoon garlic powder”, “1 teaspoon paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/2 teaspoon black pepper”, “2 large eggs”, “2 tablespoons milk”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 400\u00b0F (200\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, mix crushed Cheez-It crackers, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In another bowl, whisk eggs and milk together.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, then coat with the cracker mixture.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear chicken breasts 2-3 minutes per side until golden.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Transfer chicken to a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “38 g”, “fatContent”: “14 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “12 g”}}