Description
This crispy cheesy chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of crunchy breading and gooey melted cheese inside tender chicken breasts. Quick to prepare and versatile in flavor, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, offering a comforting and satisfying meal loved by all ages.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cooking
- Olive oil or cooking spray for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice chicken breasts into thin cutlets for faster, even cooking. Season each piece generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to build layers of flavor.
- Set Up the Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper. This setup ensures the breading adheres perfectly.
- Assemble the Crispy Cheesy Chicken: Place a small heap of shredded cheese on one chicken cutlet, then top with another cutlet. Press the edges together firmly to seal the cheese inside, creating a pocket.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge the stuffed chicken in flour first, then dip into the egg wash, and finally press into the seasoned breadcrumbs until fully coated. Pat the coating evenly for a consistent crunch.
- Cook Until Golden and Melty: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken 3–4 minutes per side or until the crust is golden, crispy, and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, preventing it from leaking while preserving its gooey texture when bitten.
Notes
- For extra crunch, consider double breading by repeating the egg and breadcrumb coating before frying.
- Pound chicken cutlets to an even thickness for consistent cooking and tenderness.
- Maintain medium heat during cooking to prevent burning the crust before the chicken is cooked through.
- Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs provide superior crispiness compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps the cheese slightly firm up for a better eating experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken cutlet
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg