Cheddar-Garlic Oven-Fried Chicken Breasts

A garlicky butter dip and a cheesy crumb coating make these baked chicken breasts crisp outside and tender inside, with the oven doing the frying.

Serves 4 · 1 hour

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt or regular salt
• ¾ cup dry breadcrumbs, seasoned or plain
• ½ cup finely grated cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Shredded cheddar or mozzarella, for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and butter an 11-by-7-inch baking dish. Use a larger dish if you're cooking more than 4 breasts.
2. Stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of the garlic powder and the salt in a shallow bowl.
3. In a second shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated cheddar, Parmesan, pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
4. Dip each chicken breast in the garlic butter, then press it into the crumb mixture to coat.
5. Lay the chicken in the dish and bake, uncovered, 35 to 45 minutes, until cooked through. Larger breasts may need a little longer.
6. If you like, scatter shredded cheese over the chicken for the last 5 minutes of baking.

Tips

• Setting the chicken on a rack inside the pan gives an even crispier crust.
• For a lemony version, stir 3 tablespoons lemon juice into the garlic butter.
• About 10 minutes before the chicken is done, you can spoon a little pasta sauce over the top, add mozzarella and finish baking until it melts.

Adapted from Food.com.