Crispy Cheddar Baked Chicken ✨

Crispy Cheddar Baked Chicken 
Juicy chicken breasts coated in a golden, crunchy crust of cheddar, Parmesan, and panko—no frying needed! Ready in 35 minutes.

 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (~6 oz each)

¼ cup (60g) melted butter (or olive oil)

For the Crust:
1 cup (115g) shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan

1 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

For Garnish:
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

 Instructions
 Prep & Coat
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.

Mix crust ingredients: In a bowl, combine cheddar, Parmesan, panko, and spices.

Dip chicken in melted butter, then press into crumb mix to coat evenly.

 Bake
Place chicken in dish. Bake 25-30 mins until internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).

Optional: Broil 1-2 mins for extra crispiness.

 Serve
Rest 5 mins, garnish with parsley.

Pair with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.

 Pro Tips
 Even cooking: Pound thicker breasts to ½-inch uniform thickness.
 Extra crunch: Toast panko in a dry pan for 2-3 mins before mixing.
 Cheese swaps: Try pepper Jack for spice or Gruyère for nuttiness.
 Make ahead: Prep coated chicken and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.