Monterey Jack cheese was invented in 1882 by mistake when a Scottish immigrant forgot milk cultures overnight in California.
Baked Cheesy Chicken Breasts
Savor the delightful crunch of our Baked Cheesy Chicken Breasts, where tender chicken meets a melty blend of two irresistible cheeses. Coated in crispy breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, this dish promises a quick and delicious weeknight feast that your family will adore. Dive into cheesy goodness and elevate your dinner game effortlessly!
Prep
10
min
Cook
40
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- Salt and black pepper
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 4 (6-7 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (120 ml)Sharp white cheddar or yellow cheddar can be used.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (60 ml)
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted (74.9 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs (240 ml)Can use Panko breadcrumbs or crushed butter crackers.
🧂Spices & Seasonings(2)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (2.5 ml)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (2.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9x12 casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- 2
In a low, shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs and both cheeses.
- 3
In a small pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onion powder and garlic powder and mix well.
- 4
Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- 5
Dip each chicken breast in the butter mixture to coat all sides then press into the cheesy breadcrumb mixture.
- 6
Place the chicken breasts in the prepared pan. Sprinkle some of the extra breadcrumbs over the chicken and press down to help it adhere.
- 7
Drizzle some of the extra butter mixture over top of the chicken.
- 8
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to 3/4-inch uniform thickness before coating because uneven thickness causes the thin ends to dry out while thick portions remain undercooked.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Use panko breadcrumbs mixed with 25% regular breadcrumbs for optimal coating texture - panko provides crunch while fine crumbs fill gaps and adhere better.ingredient25% regular breadcrumbs
- ✓Cook chicken to exactly 165°F internal temperature using an instant-read thermometer because carryover cooking will raise the temperature 3-5°F more, preventing overcooking.timing165°F internal
- ✓Let the coated chicken rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before baking so the coating sets and won't slide off during cooking.technique10 minutes
- ✓Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to create shallow crosshatch scores on the chicken surface before seasoning - this increases surface area by 30% for better seasoning penetration and coating adhesion.technique30% surface area increase
Share this recipe
Prep
10
min
Cook
40
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Monterey Jack cheese was invented in 1882 by mistake when a Scottish immigrant forgot milk cultures overnight in California.
Baked Cheesy Chicken Breasts
Savor the delightful crunch of our Baked Cheesy Chicken Breasts, where tender chicken meets a melty blend of two irresistible cheeses. Coated in crispy breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, this dish promises a quick and delicious weeknight feast that your family will adore. Dive into cheesy goodness and elevate your dinner game effortlessly!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- Salt and black pepper
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 4 (6-7 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (120 ml)Sharp white cheddar or yellow cheddar can be used.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (60 ml)
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted (74.9 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs (240 ml)Can use Panko breadcrumbs or crushed butter crackers.
🧂Spices & Seasonings(2)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (2.5 ml)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (2.5 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9x12 casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- 2
In a low, shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs and both cheeses.
- 3
In a small pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onion powder and garlic powder and mix well.
- 4
Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- 5
Dip each chicken breast in the butter mixture to coat all sides then press into the cheesy breadcrumb mixture.
- 6
Place the chicken breasts in the prepared pan. Sprinkle some of the extra breadcrumbs over the chicken and press down to help it adhere.
- 7
Drizzle some of the extra butter mixture over top of the chicken.
- 8
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-45 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to 3/4-inch uniform thickness before coating because uneven thickness causes the thin ends to dry out while thick portions remain undercooked.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Use panko breadcrumbs mixed with 25% regular breadcrumbs for optimal coating texture - panko provides crunch while fine crumbs fill gaps and adhere better.ingredient25% regular breadcrumbs
- ✓Cook chicken to exactly 165°F internal temperature using an instant-read thermometer because carryover cooking will raise the temperature 3-5°F more, preventing overcooking.timing165°F internal
- ✓Let the coated chicken rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before baking so the coating sets and won't slide off during cooking.technique10 minutes
- ✓Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to create shallow crosshatch scores on the chicken surface before seasoning - this increases surface area by 30% for better seasoning penetration and coating adhesion.technique30% surface area increase