Baked Cheddar Chicken

Like I said earlier this week, chicken can be so BORING but everything is better with cheese on it!  Here is a great recipe for baked cheddar chicken.  This is a hit with the whole family!  I really like this dish because I can do the prep work during the day while my little guy is napping then pop it in the oven just before we are ready for dinner.  Easy!

Baked Cheddar Chicken

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder                     

1 egg                                                   

1 tablespoon skim milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (I like Schwan's.)
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

1.  Coat a medium baking dish with the 1/4 cup of melted butter.

2.  In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  In another bowl, beat together the egg and milk.  In a third bowl, mix the cheese and both types of breadcrumbs.  One at a time, dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, dip in the egg mixture, then press in the breadcrumb mixture to coat.  Arrange in the coated baking dish.  (This is where I stop if I'm going to bake it later.  Just cover with foil and keep in the fridge until you are ready to bake it in the evening.)  Drizzle 2 tablespoons of butter evenly over the chicken.

3.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until coating is golden brown and chicken is done inside.

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This recipe serves 6.  Since we only have 4 "big people food" eaters in our family right now, I usually have at least one chicken breast leftover.  I used to HATE leftovers, but these days the easier and faster, the better!  So bring 'em on!

I saved the extra baked cheddar chicken breast in the fridge to have on a salad later in the week.  Cut up some romaine lettuce, sprinkle on some shredded cheese, and top with the warmed chicken breast.  Add a few baby carrots on the side and drizzle with honey mustard dressing.  There you have a quick and healthy lunch!

Recipe altered from the original on allrecipes.com.