Description
Cheez-It Chicken is a crispy, flavorful baked chicken tenderloin recipe coated with crushed Cheez-It crackers and a honey mustard egg wash. This easy-to-make dish bakes quickly to golden perfection, combining crunchy cheddar-flavored crust with tender, juicy chicken inside. Ideal for a weeknight dinner that appeals to kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1¼ lb chicken tenderloins
- ¼ cup honey mustard dressing
- 2 large eggs
- â…“ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups Cheez-It cheddar crackers
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (246°C). Line a baking pan with nonstick aluminum foil and place a baking rack on top. This setup helps the chicken cook evenly and stay crispy.
- Prepare Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure even seasoning.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In another shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and honey mustard dressing until fully blended. This mixture will add moisture and flavor to the chicken while helping the cracker coating stick.
- Crush Cheez-It Crackers: Place the Cheez-It cheddar crackers in a food processor and pulse until they become finely crushed crumbs. Alternatively, put crackers in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Transfer the crushed crackers to a separate shallow bowl.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tenderloin first into the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg and honey mustard mixture, then coat thoroughly with the crushed Cheez-It crackers. Arrange each coated chicken piece on the prepared baking rack-lined pan.
- Apply Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the coated chicken tenderloins with cooking spray. This will help achieve a golden and crispy crust during baking.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Notes
- Using a baking rack allows hot air to circulate around the chicken for a crispier crust.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked but not dried out.
- You can substitute honey mustard dressing with regular mustard mixed with a tablespoon of honey for a homemade alternative.
- For an extra crunch, double coat the chicken by repeating the egg and cracker steps.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
